Review Crew Book Reviews

When Nora was a young girl she learned the most sinister secret of her family; her father was murdering young women in their basement. Nora successfully kept this information about her past concealed for nearly three decades and she plans on keeping it that way. Now a surgeon, Nora keeps to herself and work, which she’s extremely talented at. Then something horrible happens; one of her patients is murdered with her father’s MO. Shocked by the news and even more shocked by the fact she’s the prime suspect due, Nora begins to feel her world falling apart. As pieces begin putting themselves together, Nora learns yet another family secret...
"The Locked Door" was enthralling and definitely had a twist at the end. The book instantly makes you think you know who is committing the crimes then takes a whole different path. I appreciated this set up and the narrative of Nora, who’s a likeable character trying to move on from her past. I do wish the book dwelled more on why her father committed the crimes, but overall it’s a book I would recommend.

"The Perfect Child" follows Hannah and Christopher, a loving couple with one problem: they have had no success in having children. When one day a little girl appears at the hospital they both work at, Christopher is immediately drawn to her and when the opportunity arises convinces Hannah they should bring her home. The little girl, Janie, has been through a lot, and Hannah and Christopher both recognize the behavioral issues bound to present themselves due to her situation. But Janie’s behavior is beyond what they expected, with her outbursts falling onto Hannah. Christopher is not as convinced as Hannah that something is seriously wrong with Janie and tension starts to build between all three of them. As incidents begin happening that can no longer be overlooked and excused by Janie’s past, Christopher and Hannah are pushed over the edge, and there is one little girl at the center of it all.
"The Perfect Child" was a decent read and was definitely intriguing. I do wish the ending was more climactic and centered more around Janie’s thoughts. In fact I think if part of the book or at least the end was told from Janie’s perspective, it would have been even more intriguing.

"When She Returned" follows a family who just received shocking news: Kate, wife and mother who disappeared over a decade ago, is back. Kate’s husband (who has since remarried) and daughter are ecstatic about her return, horrified to hear a cult was responsible for her disappearance. Trying to reconnect as a family is more difficult than not, as Kate is no longer the same woman she once was. Yet there is something more to Kate’s behavior than just fear, something suspicious that only one person in the household is catching onto, the new wife of Kate’s husband, who he and his daughter don’t want to believe. As tension rises secrets are exposed and the meaning of family is questioned.
Overall "When She Returned" was a decent book that kept you wondering what happened for the first half. Unfortunately the book becomes predictable and what was meant to be the plot twist wasn’t much of a twist.

"Sharp Objects" is a riveting story about uncovering the dark secrets of a dysfunctional family.
Camille is a struggling journalist trying to forget her dark childhood with one thing she hopes to never do again; return to her hometown. Yet when murders of young girls begin happening in her hometown, she must go back to create a story that will help her career. Upon her arrival she comes face to face with her mother and their rocky relationship. She also meets her much younger sister, who's behavior is far out of the ordinary for a young girl. As Camille tries to begin her story, she struggles with herself and the memories she must face. Soon Camille begins piecing together parts of her past and the current events, leading her to a shocking discovery.
"Sharp Objects" was a deeply engaging book that kept me on the edge of my seat! Each chapter brings you closer to what Camille thinks has happened, but the end reveals something much more shocking. This is a book I would put on my read again list!

"A Simple Favor" is a twisty novel that has some disturbing aspects... and not in the greatest of ways. It follows Stephanie and the disappearance of her best friend Emily. Stephanie attempts to solve the mystery of Emily's disappearance all while taking Emily's place which she believes her best friend would have wanted. Little does Stephanie know there's so much more to Emily's disappearance than meets the eye. As Stephanie begins to put broken pieces together, paranoia rises from both her and Emily's husband.

"A Simple Favor" had a lot of potential as a thriller novel but there were some aspects that were just too out there. Stephanie wasn't a very likeable character and her perspective of everything was twisted in a way that was just frustrating rather than suspenseful. The story also put a lot of emphasis on things that didn't seem all that relevant to the plot, and were just there to further enhance each character's odd personalities. Emily was by far my favorite character, but I wouldn't read this book again.

"The Perfect Son" is a book that is bound to keep readers on their toes, and ultimately leave them questioning everything that happened.
Told from two perspectives, "The Perfect Son" follows a mother (Erika) and her family of two children and husband. She undeniably adores her son (Liam) in particular who has few flaws. Yet, there is something about Liam that worries and even frightens Erica. This worry only increases when Liam's classmate goes missing, especially after Erica learns Liam was the last to see her and his avoidant behavior about the topic. Desperate to learn what really happened and protect her family from the growing criticism of the town, Erica keeps her son under close watch and becomes increasingly suspicious. Could her son really have done this?
This book was impossible to put down! With relatable characters and a storyline that makes you believe you know what happened (except you really don't!), Freida McFadden offers an eerie story about deciding if protecting your child is worth the risk.

"The ABC Murders" follows Hercule Poirot as he is contacted by a new killer, forcing him to crack yet another seemingly-unsolvable case. When Alice Asher is found dead in Andover with an ABC Railway Guide next to her body, Poirot knows this is the start of a gruesome series of serial murders. Working desperately against the clock with Arthur Hastings and Inspector Japp to solve the clues presented to him, Poirot must stop the killer, "A.B.C.", before they can complete their gruesome series of killings. With twist after twist, this murder mystery will be impossible for you to put down!

I absolutely love Agatha Christie and all her books. In "The ABC Murders" in particular, she manages to craft another perfectly thrilling tale that leaves you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This book has the perfect balance of terrifying suspense and familiar banter between Poirot and Hastings. Christie always finds a way to elegantly set up the reader's expectations in order to utterly shock them with another amazing ending, and "The ABC Murders" is no exception! I highly recommend this book for anyone who is starting to get into Christie's work, especially if they enjoy reading Poirot's books, as this is definitely one of her best.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a FANTASTIC read. It traces the life story of movie star, Evelyn Hugo, as told by underground reporter Monique Grant. The plot development throughout this novel is spectacular, and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. It is not quite a romance, not quite a mystery, but somewhere in between. The reader is led to ponder the value of love, marriage, and storytelling as they discover the hidden connection between Evelyn and Monique.

Emma Paxton has never had a family. So when her long-lost identical twin, Sutton Mercer, messages her and asks to meet in Arizona, she is overjoyed. However, things are not as they seem. Emma soon discovers that Sutton was murdered - and she must take Sutton's place in her twin's lavish (albeit complicated) life. With Sutton's murderer watching her every move, Emma must work to find the killer and avenge her sister, diving deeper into her twin's dark past and her twisted involvement in The Lying Game, uncovering secret after secret.

I really liked reading Shepard's more famous series, "Pretty Little Liars," so I picked up "The Lying Game" in the hopes that it would be the same page-turning mystery filled with high school drama. However, although some plot points and revelations were interesting, I was largely disappointed by this book. It is told in first perspective by Sutton from beyond the grave, following Emma's current activities in third person, and the idea of Sutton telling the story (although essential, as it gave context clues that Emma had not figured out yet) was a little awkward. Honestly, the whole book felt a little unbelievable and the characters were all stereotypical and flat, making it hard for me to enjoy. If you are looking for a Shepard's style of YA mystery, I would recommend reading "Pretty Little Liars" or "The Perfectionists" instead.

"Listen for the Lie" by Amy Tintera follows Lucy Chase as she returns to Texas five years after she was found in the woods, covered in her best friend, Savvy's, blood. Claiming to have no memory of the murder, Lucy is suspect number one - and now a podcast is being made by Ben Owens, following the case. With Lucy back at the scene of the crime, she has no choice but to face her past, even if it means suspecting everyone around her. As secret after secret is revealed, Lucy realizes that she can trust no one, as her memory of that night is the only thing that can clear her name and reveal the killer.

"Listen for the Lie" is an absolutely captivating book. Each chapter reveals another secret, and each plot twist makes the book impossible to put down. With alternating perspectives between Lucy's perspective and the episodes of the podcast, this tale weaves an intriguing story that leaves you guessing from beginning to end. Tintera does a great job with making Lucy's amnesia believable (even though her delusions about killing those around her and hallucinations can feel awkward at times), while also shifting the reader's perception of her as more clues are revealed. "Listen for the Lie" is a great mystery full of hilarious moments, captivating romance, and a gut-wrenching ending.

"On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" gives twenty tips for being aware of and defying authoritarian regimes in the modern world. Snyder flawlessly connects past dictatorships with modern examples in a riveting analysis of tyranny. This book will keep your attention from beginning to end, as each fact and analysis is interesting, relatable, and eye-opening.

I really enjoy reading books about dictators, because I am really interested in political science and how tyrants (and their ascension to power) are connected to different aspect of government and psychology. This book was honestly the perfect choice for those interests, as I was riveted to Snyder's writing from the moment I picked it up. This book is really small and concise - only about 100 pages - and each of the twenty tips are chock-full of real life examples of each point that Snyder makes. The details about authoritarian regimes and how they consolidate power are especially interesting, and the author is very concise with which instances he adds in, so it is not too dense or repetitive. If you are anxious about the current state of our world and interested in figuring out how you can take action, this is the perfect book for you even if you don't like non-fiction or political reads!

"Reputation" follows the students and faculty members of Aldrich University, who will do anything to protect their reputations - even if it means committing murder. After the most prestigious universities in the United States suffer a serious hack, exposing juicy secrets and scandalous cover-ups, everyone is panicking with the sudden influx of exposed lies and deception. Soon after, Kit Manning-Strauser's husband is mysteriously murdered, suddenly, everyone is a suspect. Willa, her sister, begins to investigate, and as lie after lie is uncovered, no one in Aldrich is safe. How far will the murderer go to protect their reputation?

I read a lot of Sara Shepard's books, and I really love the plot lines she comes up with and her writing style. However, I was honestly a little disappointed with this book. Compared to her other books, which largely center around high school girls, it was evident that Shepard was trying for a more "mature" theme and that really fell flat and didn't add to the story. The plot twists just weren't as exciting as in her other works, and it was hard to follow each character, because there were so many different, unrelated, viewpoints. Although some aspects of the conclusion were interesting, "Reputation" was altogether not that exciting. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this Sara Shepard book to anyone looking for her style of murder mystery, and I would stick to series like "Pretty Little Liars" and "The Perfectionists."

"Holly" by Stephen King follows Holly Gibney, a middle-aged woman employed at a detective agency. In the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic, a young woman goes missing, and in the wake of her mother's death, Holly is desperate to help. However, when one disappearance leads to another, Holly finds herself in over her head. With alternating perspectives between Holly, others in the detective agency, and even the killer themselves, suspense runs high as the culprit turns their attention to Holly herself to silence her once and for all.

I really love reading mystery books (especially ones about serial killers) and this book really was perfect to me. I haven't read any other of King's books, but this one was a great place to start, as his writing style, organization, and plot points were spot-on. Additionally, the fact that this book is set during the coronavirus pandemic makes it relatable for readers, drawing them in and adding a lot to the story. Overall, the intriguing concepts, haunting ending, and intricate clues linger with the reader long after the book has been finished. Although it may seem like a difficult read (the book is over 400 pages), "Holly" is absolutely worth it, and each page-turning chapter makes it nearly impossible to put the book down.

The Harpy is about a woman named Lucy. She lives somewhere in England with her husband, Jake, and her two kids. They live a decent life, until Lucy finds out about Jake's affair with a much older woman. Lucy falls to pieces, but feels somewhat relieved when her husband gives her permission to injure him 3 times, no more, no less. As Lucy juggles with her grief and the lives of her and her family, we learn about her lifelong connection to the harpies, bird-like creatures who terrorize disloyal men. With all the stress and anger bubbling up within her, in a story told in Lucy's point of view, I think it's safe to say that The Harpy is an amazing piece of literature.

Everybody at Atwood boarding school knows about the Narrow, the seemingly peaceful river that runs behind the school building. They also know that behind its serene appearance hides its deadly currents, sweeping anyone who falls in to a fatal ride crashing into the sharp rocks below. Nonetheless, every year when school begins, it is tradition for the students of Atwood to leap across the river. No consequences or anything from the administrators, just make sure to not fall in the river. Because they say the Narrow drowns all it takes.

But that's not entirely true. Eden White had seen Delphine Fournier fall in the Narrow and live. Not unscathed, because Delphine had developed a severe allergic reaction to impure water afterwards. And now she's confined in a nearby school-owned building, Abigail House, strictly conditioned to preserve her health. No one has talked to her for years. But when Eden's negligent parents fail to pay her tuition for her last year at Atwood, she has no choice but to live with Delphine on the account that Delphine's mother pays her tuition in return. As the days roll by, Eden finds herself uncontrollably drawn to the enigmatic Delphine - and haunted by the strange incidents that happen to her during her time in Abigail House. Wet footsteps follow her to her bedroom, and her dreams are plagued by a girl, soaked to the bone, constantly choking from the water that fills her lungs. The legends behind Atwood speak of a ghost, and Eden doesn't believe it at first. But then she sees her. Talks to her. And slowly realizes the truth behind Delphine's sickness.

I had recently found interest in stories involving ghosts, and this book was one of the first I had read to indulge in it. It is not as creepy as I thought it would be, judging from the book description, but I enjoyed it anyway. Marshall's writing is very immersive, and every chapter I finished had me wanting to read more. The beginning of the book really sets up the tone for the rest of the story, and the plot is well paced despite some parts being a bit too lengthy. The creepy atmosphere the story aims for sometimes falls flat, but the darker tone does eventually return, especially at the climax, which culminates into a bittersweet ending. The author also does a good job of taking an old-fashioned concept, such a ghost story, and blending it in with a modern day setting. Perhaps the most enjoyable part in my opinion was Eden's journey to self-love and properly coping with her mental health issues. Marshall tackles some heavier topics I don't normally see represented in other novels with sensitivity, and I respect that greatly. Overall, reading this novel was a pleasant experience, and I will also be willing to check out some of the author's other works: it seems like creepier content is her focus.

Isabel "Belly" Conklin has always loved summer, because every summer, she gets to spend time at her favorite place in the world - Cousins. There, she is able to escape from all her worries at her mother's friend, Susannah's, luxurious beach house. But this summer is different. Belly finds herself conflicted as she experiences feelings for Susannah's two sons, Jeremiah and Conrad. Exploring this conflict leads Belly to take a deeper look at herself as she transitions into adulthood, filling her summer with countless adventures and drama.

I read "The Summer I Turned Pretty" by Jenny Han after reading "To All the Boys I Have Loved Before," which is by the same author, and I didn't enjoy this series as much as the "To All the Boys" series. Han's books are always good choices for someone looking for a light read filled with drama and romance (and both series have TV adaptations that are fun to watch!). However, the idea that Belly has to "choose" between two brothers took a lot away from the plot for me (as it seems that she has no consideration for either of them and only thinks of herself and her rapidly changing emotions), as it made Belly a very unlovable character. To me, she was portrayed as selfish and naive, focusing only on herself as she chooses between Jeremiah and Conrad, paying no attention to the impact of her actions on the brothers. Because of this, the reader cannot become attached to Belly as the main character, as well as the book itself and the heartbreaking and intriguing story that Han presents.

The Martian follows the captivating story of Mark Watney, an astronaut left stranded on Mars. In the story, Watney has to figure out how to survive in the hostile environment of Mars with only a limited amount of supplies. All the while, NASA is working diligently to bring him back home.

I chose to read this book because I love science fiction and was intrigued by the position that Watney is placed in. I loved it because it shows the extent of human ingenuity and the things that one is able to do in extreme circumstances. The book also switches between the things that Watney is doing on Mars to try and stay alive and the things that NASA is doing to try and bring him back home safely, making the book hard to put down.

The only thing that I didn't like about the book is that there is a little bit of a lack of emotional depth in the book. Watney rarely shows signs of fear or despair despite being stranded on Mars for a long period of time, which is a bit unrealistic.

The Martian explores a possible future regarding space travel and exploration, and delves into some of the problems humanity may face while exploring. The book is very scientifically accurate and describes some processes in great detail, so if you're into STEM and are looking for a new book, you should definitely check out The Martian.

Hari Shin is desperate for money - so when her friend, Youngseo Jin, offers to pay her to attend a blind date, Hari accepts without thinking. She is confident that she can send the potential suitor packing (and have a little fun in the process!)...until her CEO, Taemu Kang shows up at the date. And for some reason, despite her best efforts, Taemu is determined to marry Hari! "A Business Proposal, Vol. 1" is a hilarious manhwa (Korean manga) that follows the adventures that Hari goes on as she tries her best to conceal her true identity - and navigates her feelings for Taemu.

Before reading "A Business Proposal, Vol. 1," I had actually watched the K-drama adaptation of the story first, and both versions are fun and addictive! There are ten volumes of this manhwa, allowing the reader to enjoy the amusing plot and lovable character across multiple books. "A Business Proposal" is a good choice for both people who are familiar with Korean culture, and for those who are not. The incorporation of cultural context is explained in the back of the book and adds a lot of character to the story. This is a relaxing and entertaining read and I definitely recommend both the manhwa and the K-drama to anyone who likes office rom-coms!

India’s vast political and culturally advanced populations were constructed by its series of emperors, sultans, and inhabitants that used the conquered land for their own purposes. Many of its great emperors such as Babur, Jahangir, and many others studied the religious practices throughout the sixteenth century and onwards. Michael H. Fisher uses original sources to recover the astounding complexity of the Mughal Empire.
I was interested in this book because of its relation to the Mongol Empire built upon by Chingis Khan. Though some rulers fascinated in the early Mongol Empire the Mughal Empire has an entirely different feel and succession process. This book is a great book to read!

This book was intoxicating and almost impossible to put down. There was excitement throughout the book with plot points that make you want to read for hours. The development of the characters during the story was interesting and really immerses you in their heads and the world. In this novel, Elayne works to secure the throne of Caemlyn while Perrin tries to rescue his wife and Mat runs from the Seanchan. Meanwhile Egwene attempts to pull down Elaida from her Seat but most importantly, Rand finds himself battling some of the Forsaken and clinging on to any reason to keep living and fighting for the Light. Oftentimes it gives days worth of food for thought. It constantly builds up to and leaves you craving to get to the ending to see what happens, and the ending does not disappoint. This book is a very satisfying read.

"Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton follows Alan Grant (a paleontologist), Ellie Sattler (a paleobotanist), and Ian Malcom, (a mathematician) who have been invited to John Hammond's private island. But they are not prepared for what awaits them there; somehow, Hammond has found a way to bring back creatures that have been extinct for millions of years. Soon, Jurassic Park will be opened to the public, placing these newly-made dinosaurs on display for all to see. But the unpredictability of nature and the corruption within the park itself soon makes this adventure deadly. Now, the survivors on the island must find a way to escape - before it is too late.

I watched the movie adaptation of "Jurassic Park" before actually reading the book - and I was surprised to see that the original novel was even more chilling and captivating than the film had been. Normally, I don't read a lot of science fiction, but "Jurassic Park" has a completely different take on this genre. Not only is the possibility of scientific advancement - like genetically engineering dinosaurs - explored (which is especially relevant today!), but human nature and many deeper themes are also incorporated within this story. The disturbing and realistic notions and the page-turning plot makes this book an absolute must-read.

Lucinda Price is charged for a crime she can barely even explain. After a fun night with a boy during summer camp, she kissed him - and he spontaneously combusted. Haunted constantly by her visions of lurking shadows, she is forced to spend the next year or so at Sword & Cross, an infamous prison-like boarding school, per court orders, and ends up bumping into someone strangely familiar: Daniel Grigori. Enigmatic and alluring, Luce can't help but instantly fall head-over-heels despite never having met him. But Daniel soon makes it clear that he doesn't want to be associated with Luce, frustrating her. Determined to unravel more about Daniel and his past, Luce ends up uncovering dangerous secrets surrounding the students at the school and realizes her attraction to Daniel isn't as simple as it seems.

I will be brief and completely honest: this book was bad. I randomly stumbled upon it online, decided to read it, and now I must say it was a waste of time. This book barely has any plot, yet the author manages to drag it to a length of 400-something pages, and almost all of it is Luce pining over Daniel whilst also being unkindly rejected by him several times. The way Daniel treated Luce for the first half of the story was infuriating, and at parts, I honestly started questioning why she was still in love with him. Luce's personality is incredibly bland and unlikeable, not to mention how much she just lacks a backbone. In fact, pretty much all the characters in this novel don't have any complexity and come off as caricatures of common archetypes. The grand twist towards the end was predictable and hinted at extensively throughout the novel, giving it no impact at all. And on a lesser note, there are also several jokes and remarks in the writing that weren't made in good taste and could potentially rub some people off the wrong way. Overall, this novel was unfortunately boring, and I could hardly finish the whole thing. I would never recommend it to anyone.

"That's Not My Name" by Megan Lally follows a teenage girl who wakes up abandoned on the side of the road with no idea who she is and how she got there. However, a man soon finds her at the police station she has taken refuge in, telling her that she is his daughter, Mary. But things are not as they seem. Navigating through the truths and lies that surround her with every recovered memory, "Mary" isn't sure who she is - and who she can trust.

This book is a thrilling tale that keeps the reader guessing with every plot twist. "That's Not My Name" is beautifully crafted, and Lally did a great job making the amnesia and the characters' actions overall believable. The underlying feeling of unease that remains throughout the entire thrilling story, paired with the heart-wrenching ending, makes this is one of the best YA murder mysteries I have read all year!

This book was exciting, action-packed, and satisfying. Maddie, Ranger’s apprentice and second heir to the throne, goes on a journey to save her father and his men from the Red Fox Clan surrounding the hill fort they are in. If they succeed, they must then go to rescue her mother and the king from members of the clan within the castle. The story is well paced with battles that leave you wanting more. It is an excellent conclusion to the story that began in The Red Fox Clan.

"Two Sides To Every Murder" is a YA murder mystery that follows identical twins Olivia and Reagan as they return to Camp Lost Lake to discover the truth of their past. Separated at birth, it seems that the sisters couldn't be more different: Olivia cautiously searches for the truth about her parentage, while reckless Reagan is determined to clear her mother's name. The twins - along with their best friends - join forces as they are hunted by the Witch of Lost Lake, who will do anything to hide the truth of what happened there sixteen years ago.

When I picked up "Two Sides To Every Murder," I was hoping for another thrilling murder mystery, but I was disappointed to find that the plot of this story was unoriginal and predictable. Each secret and twist was hinted at heavily, and the character's actions seemed extremely unlikely and often childish, making each event seem abrupt. Because the story did not flow smoothly, it was difficult to get invested in the plot and characters. Additionally, Valentine seemed to take A LOT of inspiration from "The Parent Trap" (some of the character dialogue was almost identical to the 1998 movie) and that really bothered me, as it took a lot away from the plot and made it even more unoriginal. Overall, I would not recommend this book, as it was stereotypical, monotonous, and altogether extremely disappointing.

"A Good Girl's Guide To Murder" by Holly Jackson introduces lovable and realistically flawed characters Pippa Fitz-Amobi and Ravi Singh as they work to not only complete Pip's senior capstone project, but also to solve the murder of Andie Bell. Every character in this novel has complex thoughts, feelings, and motives that weave together to create a shocking, multi-layered mystery and page-turning plot. Presented in an engaging mixture of transcribed interviews, project notes, and Pip's own perspective, you will not be disappointed by picking up this book!

After reading and adoring many of Karen M. McManus's novels, I found myself looking for a similar read, and after stumbling across Jackson's work, I was hooked! Not only is "A Good Girl's Guide To Murder" perfect for those seeking a good mystery, but "Good Girl, Bad Blood" and "As Good As Dead" (the other books in this amazing three-part series), tie in beautifully to the already-compelling world Jackson has created, leaving the reader stunned with every plot twist. Jackson presents a story - and series - where the characters, clues, relationships, and resolutions feel anything but forced, and each new twist leaves the reader wanting more of not only Ravi and Pip's adorable relationship, but also more of the mysteries in Fairview which seem to never stop unraveling!

"Curtain - Poirot's Last Case" by Agatha Christie is another one of this author's must-reads. The reader is hooked from the start of the story as Hercule Poirot and his friend, Arthur Hastings, travel back to the location of their first case to face their most formidable enemy yet. Not only does this story incorporate Christie's signature touch, filling the reader with suspense and leaving them wanting more, but it also plays into the reader's emotional connections with the characters they have read so much about.

I have been obsessed with Agatha Christie and her timeless mysteries for a while now, and have fallen in love with Poirot, Hastings, and many more of her amazing characters. I recommend reading Curtain after enjoying some of Christie's other Poirot mysteries (especially Poirot's first case, "The Mysterious Affair At Styles"), as I had fallen in love with the character so much that the ending left me in tears. Each of her mysteries is both distinctive and flawless, each plot point perfectly executed.

"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury is set in a futuristic world teetering on the edge of war. But for Guy Montag, the war feels like a distant problem compared to his own. He is a fireman, whose job is to burn any books and houses in which they were found. He does it without emotion, believing he is bettering society, until he meets a new neighbor, Clarisse McClellan, who changes his whole perspective on the world in which he lives, and makes him question everything he is told to believe. He begins to realize the true and terrible state of the world, and wonders if the books he destroys might be the solution. Guy Montag is a great character to watch develop, as he is relatable and flawed, but is still incredibly understandable, so you end up rooting for him to win. The writing style of the book is also amazing, full of convincing imagery and thought provoking ideas. I liked the book more as I read it and got to know the complex characters, and would recommend it to people looking for a short and interesting read.

Game of Crowns depicts the exhausting and pressuring lives of royals. Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Princess Kate. The ups and downs of their families and relationships are exhibited. #1 New York Times bestselling author Christopher Andersen explains differences between the three. Andersen's years as a biographer help him capture a detailed and almost first-hand perspective into the rivalries and bonds between the royal family.

I chose this book because of my interest in Princess Diana. Her death was really impactful for many countries and this particular book stood out to me because the author created a book specifically about Diana called, "The Day Diana Died." Although I had not read that book, I was sure that "Game of Crowns" would give a great perspective already about the late Princess of Wales. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the "drama" of the Royal Palace.

Dance of Thieves is a fast-paced fantasy and romance novel. The author has strong worldbuilding that helped bring the story to life. I did think the author rushed the worldbuilding at times, and it took longer than I would have liked to understand certain aspects of the world. However, Mary E. Pearson was also able to create many unique characters with different cultures, and it helped me feel like I was in the world, learning about these characters and their beliefs.

I loved both main characters and their different personalities, and I enjoyed seeing how their differing actions influenced the plot. I never found myself loathing a certain character's POV. The author makes sure both characters have different hidden goals and motives even when working together. This helped contribute to the tension between the characters, which helped me enjoy the book. Something new was always happening, and I never felt that the author was adding unnecessary information.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you are looking for a fast-paced novel that will hold your attention from beginning to end, or if you are looking for a romance that drives the plot but doesn't overshadow it.