Review Crew Book Reviews

November 9th, 1938 was nicknamed the night of broken glass, and it was on this day that Michael’s eyes were opened to the horror that was the nazi’s. Shops were destroyed, Jews were beaten, killed, and arrested. Soon Michael discovers that his parents, the ambassadors for the Irish embassy in Berlin, are secretly collecting information for the allies against Germany. With his photographic memory and determination to bring justice to a Hitler ruled Germany, Michael will help with the cause however can even if it means becoming the most convincing nazi youth. He will uncover secrets that the nazi’s are hiding, that only he can prevent.

Projekt 1065 by award winning author Alan Gratz is a masterpiece in writing giving an accurate representation of World War 2. He shows the terrible truths of the time and the way the citizens were brainwashed in a captivating plot and immersive story. With perfect descriptions and thrilling plot twists you will be interested in the book the entire way through. This book is an example of an amazing historical fiction book, and I believe that many people will enjoy this novel.

For those who want a story that is nothing short of enlightening, Lois Lowry’s “Son” is the book for you. The fourth and final book in the eye-opening “The Giver” series, the storylines of all the previous books are masterfully and artistically woven into a single thread. Claire, a Birthmother in her community, has her world turned upside down when her baby is taken from her. Now, she must embark on the journey of a lifetime to get him back — no matter what the price. In my humble opinion, this is one of the most fantastic books I have ever read. Being the last book in the series, it has the ability to cultivate an incredibly powerful and complex story that keeps readers heartstrings tied to the page. It’s got plot twists, evil and mysterious villains, amazing shows of strength, moments of joy, sadness, fear, and surprise, all while carrying one warm, loving message. If “Messenger” left you wanting for more, read “Son”. Trust me — it’s worth it.

I first read this book for a school assignment, but quickly fell in love with the outstanding novel Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Hatchet is a perfect survival book for nature lovers. Paulsen writes about a boy named Brain Robeson. With parents divorced, and a secret eating him from the inside, Brian’s life is in turmoil; However, his life changes the moment his plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness on a flight to his father’s house. Can Brain survive, or will he succumb to the sheer power of nature? Hatchet is a top notch book and will please any reader.

Once already addicted to the previous two books of this series, the final book of the trio was a must have! Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil keeps the readers on the edge of their seats! Bane has finally finished training his apprentice, Darth Zannah, in the ways of the Dark Side; However, she seems unwilling to take the title of master for her own. Bane must decide whether to wait longer for Zannah to overthrow him, or he much quickly choose a new apprentice. Which will he choose? Darth Bane, Dynasty of Evil is a perfect book for Star Wars fans, and is an epic ending to the Darth Bane Trilogy.

What initially drew me into The Poppy War was all the great things I had heard about the book and it's author R.F. Kuang. Fang Runin, the female main character, was both enjoyable and relatable at many times as she fought for a spot in Sinegard, the country's most elite military academy, in hopes of getting away from an arranged marriage. The book spans over a few years and eventually deals with some very intense and dark themes throughout the book. Kuang does not shy away from any details and makes the book feel incredibly real and allows a deeper connection with the character's emotions.
The pace of the book really picks up towards the second half, and I was constantly surprised where the story went next. The Poppy War is also very heavily inspired by Chinese folklore, but Kuang adds her own touch to the story, making the book seem very unique. I really enjoyed this book and is a definite five star for me.

Six of Crows is the adventure of six characters, each with different backgrounds and different goals, sharing the same mission: accomplish a high risk heist from one of the most fortified cities in the world. Each of the members of the group have significant enemies, each trying to stop the heist from happening. There is constant action, and the book is impossible to put down. The author incorporates the character's background to form bonds within the group; highlighting their strengths and weaknesses together. There is never a dull moment, and the story is filled with twists and turns that aren't expected, but enhance the novel's plot. I would recommend if anyone is trying to get out of a reading slump, or find a book that will have you invested from start to finish.

While the cover of Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull, may not be the most appealing, once the book is opened the reader is welcomed into a new, magical world, filled with sneaky satyrs, vain fairies, dangerous witches, and many more. Similarly, when Kendra and Seth are sent to their Grandfather's house for the summer, they don't expect to find an adventure waiting for them. A series of well-placed clues reveals a new, mysterious world to the two children, who must work to save it. Kendra and Seth make both friends and enemies in this preserve and learn the importance of following the rules, as well as risking them. Fablehaven was constantly surprising me, making it impossible to put down. The characters learn new things about what they are capable of accomplishing, which helps to inspire readers to reach outside of their comfort zone and discover what they can accomplish as well.

Before receiving what might have been the strangest gift ever, 12-year-old robot enthusiast Alex's life was already plagued enough with bullies and homework. But when he receives a toy robot from his enigmatic grandfather, along with a note that reads "This one is special," a sequence of supernatural events sets off around Alex, and right before things take a deadly turn, Alex's grandfather appears just in time to save his life...and pack him away in an impromptu snowy trip across Europe. As the two begin to unravel the mysteries behind the robot's magic, Alex finds himself becoming the main target of a group of mysterious assassins who follow his every move in the hopes of possessing his robot, and he is forced to battle villains of both human and robot form as he grapples with the immense, monstrous powers of his seemingly innocent toy.

Monstrous Devices is whimsical and unique, and although it is for middle-school aged children, the author is not afraid to add in some chilling, horror-adjacent plot points throughout the story (this novel literally begins with a murder scene...no more on that). While reading this book, I felt as if I was tagging along with Alex and his grandpa as they outwit the assassins; I could hear the robots the assassins used as weapons whizzing and whirring in their deadly attacks, and I could practically see the landscape this book is set in. The bits of history about robots and magic the author added in was also very intriguing, adding a mythical element to the story.

On the other hand, the ending of the book felt somewhat abrupt for me, and there were a lot of questions I had about the characters and the plot that were left unanswered. The lore behind the robot, and even Alex and his grandpa's own backstories, were a little hard to follow, and I ended up somewhat dissatisfied with the lack of conclusions the author gave. The characterizations of the assassins only left more questions, their motives were very unclear, and their eventual fate did not sit quite right with me. I do, however, know that there is a sequel to this book, and I hope that it will tie together some of the unresolved tensions.

In the end, even though it has its flaws, Monstrous Devices remains a magical and entertaining read that young readers will surely enjoy.

In a distant future, the US has fallen after a devastating sequence of wars, and in its place rises a new nation by the name of Illéa. The country is led by a traditional monarchy, and society is divided into castes, with Ones (royals, elites) lying at the top of the pyramid and the lowly Eights (handicaps, homeless people, orphans etc.) at the bottom, ostracized and left to suffer at the hands of society. As a form of entertainment or tradition, when the King and Queen's male progeny comes of age, the government televises a show known as the Selection, which centers around thirty-five young girls of all different castes compete on national TV for the hand in marriage of the prince.

America Singer is a Five; she's an artist, a singer, like her last name suggests. For her, the prospect of entering in the Selection is nothing but a nightmare, as it threatens her budding relationship with Aspen, who is a caste below her. But after continuous persuasion and bribes from her mother, she decides to compete anyway and finds herself in the presence of Maxon, the young prince of the realm that thirty-four other girls are desperate to win the favor of. Slowly, America begins to fall for him, questioning her own desires.

I had first decided to pick up this book as I thought the concept of a futuristic caste system and a monarchy was very interesting. These types of books were also not ones that I would usually read, so I thought it would be nice to try something different for once. The Selection, for all of its simple and predictable plot structure, is a fairly easy and somewhat entertaining read; I finished the first book in two days! However, that's where the compliments stop. The book overuses too many common YA book tropes (enemies to lovers, love triangles) as well as basic, shallow character archetypes (feisty female main character, dreamy and sweet main love interest, bubbly best friend, superficial mean girls, etc). As mentioned before, the plot has barely any depth, and the mentions of rebel attacks on the royal family and the corrupted caste system seem like a low-quality effort to retain the dystopian aspect of the novel at best. Romance plays itself as the main focus of the novel, and while that is not necessarily bad, it does tend get extremely repetitive as much of the novel and even the whole series centers around America deciding whether or not she really loves Maxon (as well as vice versa). And as for the characters themselves, I found both America and Maxon insufferable and one-dimensional. The book lacks tension and is overall very plain.

I did manage to get through the entirety of the series; however, I do not recommend this book to anyone interested in novels with a blend of romance and dystopian/fantasy elements. There are books out there that execute these genres better than the Selection in my opinion.

Two queer Asian girls, on different sides of the war. When their paths collide, at first, they are each other's enemy until they both realize they're fighting for the same purpose, and with a tyrannical rule spreading they have to work together to rebel.

This book was amazing, definitely worth reading. This book was full of action, sci fi and romance. This is one of the most underrated books and deserves more recognition.

The Thunderhead, an all-knowing artificial intelligence was able to solve all of the world's problems, it could even bring back the newly deceased from the dead. Religion, creativity, hard work, and passion are obsolete, and jobs only exist to give people something to do. Everything is perfect, every accommodation is met, anyone can speak to the Thunderhead, and the Thunderhead can solve anyone's problems. However, because the Thunderhead’s purpose is to help humanity it vowed to have nothing to do with the problem of overpopulation and the humans would have to create that system.
The Scythedom is an organization of people whose job is to glean (or cause the permanent death of an individual). Scythes are treated with the highest honor and have to pay for nothing and wait for no lines, but they carry the tough burden of ending other people’s lives. Every scythe must meet a quota and must follow a list of rules. However, even with great respect no man-made thing is perfect and the drive for power may corrupt the Scythedom.
Citra and Rowan end up as apprentices for a scythe and they will soon learn the guilt and hardship of the job. Only one of them will become a scythe, they must learn and train constantly leaving their old lives behind. Through many plot twists the pair must do what they can to navigate their new environment. How will the other scythes react to a scythe having two apprentices? How will Citra and Rowan change?
Neal Shusterman’s Scythe is an amazing book. It portrays the mental toll and thoughts of the protagonists perfectly and demonstrates their character development amazingly. The world-building is immaculate, and the vocabulary and characters get you immersed in the book quickly. Every detail is looked over and every character is thought out thoroughly, all having unique backstories and different approaches and thoughts to the world around them.
Scythe is also a philosophical masterpiece and touches on subjects like the drive for power and corruption in society. Throughout the book I was thinking constantly and wondering about how the society works. I recommend this book to everybody for its thorough story and how it brings up many deep questions in a unique, subtle, and phenomenal way.

Christian is living in terrible conditions inside of communist Romania, and as the citizens of surrounding countries revolt for a change of government Christian might house the power to alert everyone not directly involved. Every day he is starving, tired, and paranoid, every Romanian is being watched, and any secrets will be uncovered. Soon his whole world is forced to change when he is pulled out of school and has to make a deal to preserve his family's lives. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys Is a beautifully crafted story with an eye-opening plot. It has unique insights and a variety of interesting characters. Every chapter is equally as impressive with a storyline that keeps you reading. I Must Betray You is an amazing historical fiction book that I recommend to everyone.

Nazi Germany, 1938, Josef, a Jew, is given the chance to leave on a boat, and it may be his only chance for survival. Cuba, 1994, Isabel must voyage to America on a raft, leaving everything behind. Syria, 2015, when the civil war almost cost Mahmoud his life he has to flee the country. The three children must face many hardships on their treacherous journeys to try and reach salvation. From sharks to bombs it will take every bit of dedication and hope they have. Refugee by Alan Gratz is a masterpiece in historical fiction and a perfect demonstration of the past. The book does a phenomenal job at exploring different perspectives and getting you involved with the characters. This book has great descriptions that easily get you immersed in the story. Refugee is an impeccable novel that everyone should read.

After getting a taste of the raw thrills provided by Drew Karpyshyn’s first novel, Darth Bane: Rule of Two was a must-have! Now having destroyed the Brotherhood of Darkness, Bane must find a suitable apprentice to carry on the power of the Dark Side; His choice: a little girl called Rain who, despite her size, is immensely powerful in the dark side. Bane must struggle to trust his choice of an apprentice, for the future of the Sith relies on it, while Rain must prove that she is worthy of the title of a master. With a similar mix of action as the previous book, this novel also incorporates an integral struggle, making it even more interesting. Darth Bane: Rule of Two will certainly have your hyperdrive engines ready to boost to the third and final book of the series!

Pip has vowed not to get herself tangled up in mysteries. However when her friend goes missing and the police fail to take action, Pip steps up knowing the risks of getting caught up in mysteries. This book was honestly amazing, filled with twist and turns. As you continue to read the book, the more invested you get. I picked this book due to reading her previous book. 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder'. Holly Jackson truly has got a gift for writing these mysteries. This is a fantastic read that is definitely worth it

When smoke emerges from the house of the wealthy Samuel W. Westing and he is found dead, his sixteen heirs are invited to the reading of his will. Soon they will find themselves involved in a game to win his fortune, divided into pairs they must use nonsensical clues to win the game. No one is able to trust any of the other heirs, so when a huge snowstorm traps some of them together tensions are high. With unexpected twists in every corner of the book Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game is a must read for any mystery lover. Every character is crafted brilliantly, with unique backstories and great character development. This book keeps you on your toes the whole time, with great vocabulary and a unique plot it is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The Westing Game is a perfect mystery novel for people of many ages and keeps you wanting more.

Although I usually do not like historical fiction novels, this book managed to surpass my expectations and become one of my favorites. The Blackthorn Key follows the story of Christopher Rowe, the apprentice of the renowned apothecary Benedict Blackthorn, and takes place in 17th century England. In the beginning, Christopher lives content, creating medical remedies and cracking codes with his kind master, although he sets off a couple of explosions along the way. But a string of apothecary murders begins to work its way through England and hits closer and closer to Christopher's home, with rumors of the killings being tied to the mysterious Cult of the Archangel. When the murderers eventually kill Benedict, Christopher discovers a cryptic note left by his master right before his death and finds himself hunted by the killers, and as he deciphers Benedict's last message, he uncovers the secrets to a powerful weapon that has the potential to destroy the world.

This novel is thrilling and fast paced, and although its plot is dark in nature, Sands brilliantly incorporates some laugh-out-loud humor into the book. I loved Christopher's personality; he is easygoing and playful, but also incredibly clever and serious when he needs to be. The little nods to the historical aspect of the novel were very enjoyable, especially if you do know what was happening in England during the time period this novel is set in. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing what happens next, and the ultimate reveal of the mastermind behind the killings serves as a stunning climax to the novel. As this book is the first in a series, I will surely read the rest of the novels and keep an eye out for Sands' other works. I recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction, fantasy, mystery novels, and puzzles.

Sonic The Hedgehog Volume 4: Infection is Sonic-speed thrills from cover to cover! Dr. Eggman is gone for good. A happily retired handyman, he’s a threat no longer — or so everyone thought. Now, a new foe has emerged from the shadows and signs are pointing to the return of the doctor’s dark side. As Eggman’s allies slowly increase in numbers, Sonic must rush to find him again. It won’t be easy, though— the devious doctor and his fiendish friends are cooking up a new superweapon that even Sonic and friends can’t contain!!! Combing Ian Flynn’s story writing skills and the art of Adam Bryce Thomas, Diana Skelly, Tracy Yardley and Jack Lawrence, Sonic The Hedgehog Volume 4: Infection is a real treat!

Sonic is back for more way-past-cool adventures in Ian Flynn’s Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 3: Battle For Angel Island! Neo Metal Sonic, the super-powered steel nemesis, has conquered Angel Island and claimed the Master Emerald as his prize. Now, Sonic, alongside Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, and the rest of the Resistance fighters, must prepare for the fight of their lives in order to prevent Neo Metal Sonic from reviving Dr. Eggman’s terrifying Empire. As the battle goes on, though, Neo Metal Sonic becomes increasingly stronger. Can Sonic stop the robot’s rampage, or will he succumb to the “perfect version” of himself? With awesome art by Tracy Yardley and Evan Stanley, no Sonic fan will be able to resist Sonic the Hedgehog Volume 3: Battle For Angel Island!

Ready for more exciting adventures? Sonic The Hedgehog Volume 2: The Fate of Dr. Eggman has just that! Since Dr. Eggman’s mysterious disappearance, Sonic has been dashing around the world hunting for him — and whoever is controlling his robot army. But when Sonic, with the help of the Chaotix Detective Agency, finally locates him, he’s in for a big surprise! And that’s not all— Shadow, Sonic’s grim rival, is also hunting for Eggman. While dealing with this problem, Sonic also must uncover the true identity of the Eggman Empire’s new leader. Sonic will have to be at his fastest if the day is going to be saved! Written by Sonic super-enthusiast Ian Flynn and featuring art by Tracy Yardley, Adam Bryce Thomas, and Evan Stanley, along with tons of fantastic cover art, this comic collection is essential for any action lover!

Divine Rivals is an enchanting novel that surpassed my expectations. The writing is magical and quickly captured my attention. It’s about Roman and Iris who work together as journalists in the fantasy town of Oath competing with each other for a promotion. A war between gods rages on in the distance—a war that Iris’s brother left to fight in. Because of a magical connection, the letters which Iris writes to her brother have made their way to Roman who one day decides to write her back, but she doesn’t know that the boy she connects with over those letters is actually her rival.

In Divine Rivals, you’ll hear the clicking of a typewriter. You’ll feel the slight bumps of the train you’re on. You’ll see the perilous front lines of a dangerous war. You’ll taste the warm tea the characters are sipping. You’ll smell the ink still fresh on the paper of a newly delivered love letter. The book is a special mix of happy, cozy moments as well as terrifying, heart-racing ones.

I absolutely loved the relationships between Iris and Roman. Their banter is so fun to watch, and every moment between them was electric. I never wanted them to be apart because the book was so much better when they were together. The other characters were interesting enough, but none of them really caught my attention.

The beginning of the book didn’t feel much like a fantasy, it was more like a made up town in the past. While I loved that setting in Oath, it did make some of the fantasy aspects kind of strange because I would forget that I was reading a fantasy. As well as that, the myths and lore of the war tended to bore me because I didn’t care about that as much as I did the two main characters. However, as the book progressed, it dove into the fantasy much more, and I really enjoyed it. I thought the pacing was pretty good and even in the moments where not as much was happening, I was still very invested.

Overall, the book is not without its flaws, but it’s still an excellent read. I loved the settings, the writing, and the main characters a lot!

Reviewer Grade: 10

Continuing the passionate Giver series, Lois Lowry’s masterpiece “Messenger” is a book for the ages. As Matty, the lovable child from Kira’s town, has grown and changed in his new home, Village, his home has begun to change with him. Village is a place of acceptance and supports all that come to live there— or was, until recently. A darkness is creeping toward the small village through the surrounding forest, and the people have begun to turn on their old, kind ways. As Village threatens to close, Matty must do what no other can — to find Kira and bring her back safely.
Filled with an electric mix of mystery, suspense, and emotion, Messenger is able to explore complex emotions and develop character’s personalities while still incorporating the eternal struggle of good vs evil. Shocking plot twists and vivid imagery add to this book’s intense depth and perspective. It is definitely worth the read if only just for the ending.

When I first opened the novel, I had idea what to expect and I didn’t even if I knew I would like the book, but that quickly changed when I became addicted to the story. With an incredible mix of action and adventure, Drew Karpyshyn’s novel: “Darth Bane: Path of Destruction” is hard to beat. Readers join an Outer-Rim miner named Dessel on his journey to morph into his true self: Darth Bane. I personally enjoyed how Drew worded this book, with specific, yet easy to read details. Alongside a captivating storyline, there is nearly non-stop Star Wars action. If any readers thirst for a special Star Wars book that does not sacrifice action with dialogue, I would highly suggest Darth Bane: Path of Destruction.

(Hungry for more Drew? Check out the sequel of this book: Darth Bane Rule of two!)

“The Giver” is a book that really stands out in a crowd. In this enchanting tale by Lois Lowry, a two-time Newberry Medal winner, a young boy named Jonas lives in a perfect society. There is no pain. No sickness. No hunger. However, when he is assigned to his job in the Community, he is singled out and given a special job. Suddenly, everything is different. Jonas is able to see things- feel things- in a way that he never has before. Can Jonas find the flaws that he was blind to before and restore life to his Community? For those who like slow, thought provoking stories, The Giver is a gem to keep on your bookshelf. Plus, it is one of four moving chapters in a quartet that avid readers are sure to enjoy.

"Powerless" by Lauren Roberts is perfect for those who are huge fans of the Hunger Games series or the Red Queen series. This book involves magic, finding yourself, romance, and always, betrayals. This book will always have you on the edge of your seat and hook you from the beginning.
Paedyn Gray is an ordinary, lowlife, powerless (pun intended) thief discreetly blending in with the rest of her cruel kingdom who hates anyone just like her. Kai Azer is an elite, powerful, charming prince who has trained his entire life to hunt down people just like her. Then Paedyn gets thrown into the Purging Trials with him. The trials is a showoff to the kingdom of Ilya what powerful Elites that they have, a game practically. But Paedyn doesn't have any powers, so now she has to pretend to be psychic in front of the whole kingdom and fight her way to the top, avoiding getting killed.
This book is so good! The banter between Kai and Paedyn is to die for. It also has 2 POV so you get the ins and out of each side of the story. From the Loot, to the castles, to the arenas in the game, you will feel like your there yourself. This is also perfect those who want an easy flowing read, where there are no "boring" parts.

Reviewer Grade: 9

“The Clue is in the Pudding” by Kate Kingsbury is a delightful read for those who enjoy a delicious mix of bone-chilling mystery and delightful drama. In it, Cicily Baxter, owner of the Pennyfoot Hotel, is hoping to have a very merry Christmas this year. She is planning on entertaining her guests at her annual Christmas party in order to draw in business. Alas, not everything is going as planned. Her head maid has gone to visit family, and the replacement is the most opinionated, fussy, and unfriendly person she has ever met. She causes all sorts of trouble with the rest of her staff. When things seem unable to get any worse, a guest dies mysteriously in his room, and the new maid is chief suspect. However, things are not exactly what they seem, and motives begin popping up left and right amongst the guests. Can Cicily sniff out the murderer before Christmas arrives? As part of the Pennyfoot Hotel series, it may require some thinking from the reader to fill in the holes of the characters’ backgrounds if they have not read any of the other books. The plot is somewhat long, but it is worth it once the end comes! For readers who like romance, suspense, and drama all in one, this book is sure to be a real treat!

The Portrait by Nikolai Gogol is one of his best short stories centering around a penniless artist, Chartkov, struggling to make his name in the art world and finds himself entranced by a portrait he buys at a merchant shop. With a steely face, build of a giant, and eyes that seem to pierce the soul, the portrait that he buys on an impulse at a run-down shop carries a mystery with it that haunts Chartkov both in his waking hours and in his sleep. As he is overcome by his financial difficulty, the strange portrait that he stashed away for fear of its gaze changes his life forever. With flowing imagery and an intrinsic description of human nature and its afflictions, The Portrait latches onto the reader’s heart and presents them with a fascinating account of Chartkov and his peculiar encounter with the portrait with uncanny realism and blended fantasy.

I have heard mixed reviews about this book so I kept a neutral expectation for it. This book completely broke my standards. The magic, lore, and world in the this book is so unique, creative and perfectly easy to understand and be captivated by. There were some points where I was slightly bored but I’m ever so glad I stuck through because when it did get dramatic, oh did it get dramatic. This book is perfect for those who like an equal mix of fantasy and romance and a small portion of action, of course.
The female main character is totally relatable especially for those who can relate to the role of the cautious yet extremely caring older sibling. Scarlett risks everything for her sister and she has such a big heart. Scarlett’s decisions will have you on the edge of your seat, because in this book it’s hard to forget that everything is just an act.
Speaking out for the hopeless romantics, the two main male characters, Dante and Julian, are everything! I swear I blushed a couple times because of them. The story wouldn’t be nearly the same without them.
This book will forever be engraved in my memory. You will never forget the feeling of the magical world inside Caraval and Isla de los Suenos. Even though it wasn’t 5 stars, this will definitely be in my top books of the year.
I didn’t quite understand the intensity of this repeated quote but always keep in mind, “remember it’s only a game”.

Reviewer Grade: 9

Nikolai Gogol's "The Overcoat" is a simple yet intriguing story of a man set upon buying a new overcoat despite his poverty-stricken life. Enamored with his job of copying documents at the office, Akaky never takes notice of the world around him, even when all the other workers around him gibe at his love for something so mundane as replicating documents and the intense manner of which he regards this dull job. However, he is sharply brought into reality when winter brings frigid weather, and he realizes his threadbare and tattered overcoat simply will not sustain Russia's winter. He begins his speculations into buying a new overcoat with as much zeal as he puts into his office work, yet he hardly expects what the future holds both for him and his overcoat. Both amusing and thought-provoking, Nikolai gives the reader insight into the life of an eccentric office worker laboring during the harsh winter and successfully blends farce comedy with blunt realism to create a short story that stirs the emotions and leaves the reader satisfied.

I began this book because I was interested in the author, Osamu Dazai, as some of his life and feelings were reflected in this work of literature. Overall, I enjoyed the perspective that Yozo brings on both life and humanity.

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai is a fictional story that follows the main character, Oba Yozo, throughout his tumultuous life as he feels estranged from humanity and those around him. Yozo as a child yearns for something in life which he cannot find in the untruthful and utilitarian way that the people he is surrounded by choose to live. As he searches for what it is to be an authentic human being while battling his own disconnect from society, his view on life as a whole changes. As time progresses Yozo’s life takes a bold path, highlighted by his erratic behavior in order to “qualify as a human” as he enters college, still struggling with his fear of exposure and masking his true nature under a comedic facade. The way that Yozo is characterized brings forth a layer of depth and instills a deeper understanding of both him and human nature through his perspective. The book touches on many themes that are prevalent even in our modern-day world such as alienation from society and individual struggle of expression as well as fear of being ostracized. The story of Yozo and his wayward life is intriguing, and I think that one of the reasons that it is still widely read and appreciated both in the West and in Japanese literature is because Yozo brings out the things in people which often are hidden away, revealing some of what it is to be human. His account as he goes through life also adds a refreshing take to things often perceived as mundane, inviting the reader to muse upon them and form their own opinion themselves. However, I was not able to fully enjoy the book because of the overly cynical view it took on life especially towards the end of the story which I believe is a reflection of the author’s similarly deteriorating life.