Review Crew Book Reviews

Genghis Khan. Henry VIII. Adolf Hitler. Joseph Stalin. These are some of the most sadistic and brutal historical figures of all time. In "Confronting Evil," these individuals and their evil deeds are examined in shocking detail as O'Reilly blends historical facts with a narrative structure, formulating a unique take on these historical figures' familiar stories.

I decided to read "Confronting Evil" because I enjoy learning about infamous dictators. However, I was sorely disappointed upon reading this book. Although the unique narrative style O'Reilly used when describing historical events was interesting at first, it became repetitive and tiresome after a while, with nearly every paragraph after a page break (with page breaks typically occurring three times per page) starting with something like "Henry VIII is hungry" or "Adolf Hitler is angry," making for an extremely choppy writing style. The structure of the chapters was choppy as well, skipping around each historical figure's lifetime (often going from their most shocking action, to their early life, back to the end of their life, then towards the middle of their career, and so on). I understand that this was a fresh take and meant to engage the reader, but it was honestly just confusing and left me feeling lost - a simple chronological order would have worked much better! I was also confused about the combination of well-known individuals like Genghis Khan and Adolf Hitler with large and loosely affiliated groups of people like slave traders, robber barons, and Mexican drug cartels. This didn't make sense to me at all, as it was hard for me to compare individuals who had committed mass genocides, killing millions, to rich billionaires who had no regard for those who worked in their industries. Personally, I think this information could have been split into two different books - one of "evil" individuals and one of "evil" organizations. Along with this, I also had a problem with the bias involved with the selection of these figures, which seemed haphazard and didn't make sense to me at all (Why include some infamous dictators and not others? Why devote an entire chapter to Ruhollah Khomeini and only briefly mention Saddam Hussein? They both lived during the same time period, were both dictators, and Hussein was responsible for the deaths of more people than Khomeini.). Overall, this bias and the unnecessary incorporation of O'Reilly's own political beliefs made this author seem biased and unreliable. Upon further research, I found that many other readers also complained about the historical inaccuracy (especially in the Henry VIII chapter) and lack of cited sources within this book, which explains a lot of the confusion I felt while reading it. All in all, this book is definitely not worth your time - if you are interested in learning more about infamous historical figures, I would recommend reading a different novel instead (possibly "My Favorite Dictators: The Strange Lives of Tyrants" by Chris Mikul).

Clarice Starling is only a trainee at the FBI Academy, so when Jack Crawford, Section Chief of the Behavioral Science Unit, asks her to interview the infamous cannibal serial killer, Hannibal Lector, she jumps at the chance to come face-to-face with one of the most infamous criminals of all time and prove herself in the eyes of the Academy. And even though Lector has refused to speak with any interviewers from his cell in Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, he takes a special interest in Clarice. Soon, it becomes apparent to Clarice and the FBI that "Hannibal the Cannibal" knows the true identity of Buffalo Bill - the serial murderer the FBI has been working desperately to catch. Soon, Clarice is swept up in the frantic pursuit of Buffalo Bill, racing against the clock with the help of Lector's clues to find him before he claims his next victim.

I watched the film adaptation of "The Silence of the Lambs" before reading the book, and I was shocked to find that this is one of the most accurate book-to-film adaptations I've ever seen. Almost every plot point and sequence was accurate, and many times entire scenes were taken word-for-word from the book. That said, already knowing the plot of the movie did not take away from my enjoyment of "The Silence of the Lambs." The perspective switches from Clarice Starling to Hannibal Lector to Buffalo Bill himself built the suspense and perfectly portrayed each plot twist. I was also pleasantly surprised with the portrayal of Clarice as a main character (however, I will say that she and many other aspects are a book are sexist and outdated, as it was published in 1988). Overall, though, this book is iconic, and I would recommend it to preexisting fans of the movie and those that enjoy thrillers and serial killers!

For Jamie, life on the island is not an easy task. He's the right-hand man to Peter, the leader of their crew of Lost Boys, and no stranger to the dangers in their environment: ravenous beasts, pirates, sickness, death. Nevertheless, Jamie is committed to raising the boys Peter brings to the island to join their crew, as well as follow Peter's whims - after all, he is Peter's first and favorite Lost Boy. But when a string of tragedies happens and suspicious revelations about Peter come to light, Jamie grows disillusioned with his life and Peter's promises, suspecting that Peter's true character might be more sinister than he's ever imagined. This is the true story of Captain Hook.

I thoroughly enjoyed this darker twist on the original Peter Pan story. The novel was well-paced, the characters were developed nicely, and the more frightening moments of the book were able to leave me shocked and reeling, which doesn't happen too often. Jamie's story was devastating, and the book's brooding, visceral prose was able to encapsulate just how horrifying the truth about Peter was. There was maybe one plot development that I found a little unnecessary, but it did make sense within the story and had significance on the characters' emotional growth. I would also like to add as a small warning for prospective readers that I was a little surprised by the amount of graphic gore included - it wasn't over the top, but it was enough to be potentially triggering. This novel was an emotional rollercoaster - it did its job of ruining my former perception of Peter Pan as an innocent little elf, and it did it in a way I don't think I'll ever be able to forget.

While escaping trauma, Bree Prescott runs away from her hometown of Cincinnati to the small and quaint town of Pelion, Maine. There she meets a man with no voice, Archer Hale, and together the two work to overcome their trauma together and finally find their happy ending.

Going into this, I was expecting a cute and easy to read romance. While it was definitely easy to read, the romance piece definitely fell flat to me. It seemed to feed into all the stereotypes (miscommunication, jealous family member, etc.), which made it kind of boring to read in a way. The romance also became way too much for me, and there were so many filler scenes that I feel were not needed. While it was cute during some parts, this novel was not for me.

Five years ago, the small town of Fairview was struck by a tragedy: popular high school senior Andie Bell had gone missing. Her body never turned up during the investigation, but all the evidence found pointed to only one prime suspect: her boyfriend, Sal Singh. Thus, the story goes: Sal Singh murdered Andie and then committed suicide. The case was closed. The proof was clear as day. Everyone believed it.

But Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure.

Now in her senior year of high school, Pippa chooses to do her capstone project on this very case, first only just to cast doubt on the results of the original investigation and on Sal's guilt. But her research sends her down an entirely different path: the more Pippa examines the circumstances surrounding Andie's disappearance, the more clues she finds pointing to the possibility that Sal maybe wasn't guilty of anything after all. And it is these leads that eventually put Pippa's life in danger, as threats from a mysterious someone begin to pop up left and right; someone here definitely does not want her unearthing Fairview's - and Andie's - secrets.

I think the first thing that stood out to me in this book was the formatting: it switches between Pippa's project log entries and a more conventional third-person viewpoint of the story, which I think was an interesting literary choice. It was nice seeing glimpses into Pippa's head and the results of her research as well as how the people surrounding her interacted with her. The story was paced decently, I liked seeing the humorous banter between some of the main characters, and although I must admit that certain parts of the plot sounded a little unrealistic, it is ultimately just a novel, so I wasn't too bothered by it. I think the main problem I had with this book was that the writing felt a little juvenile and awkward at times, but overall, this book was decent. I doubt I'm going to continue with the trilogy, but the first installment wasn't that bad in my opinion.

In the fourth book of the “Woven Kingdom” series, every slow building conflict finally comes to a head. Cyrus only has one more task in his bargain with the devil, and Alizeh has finally been recognized as the ruler of the Jinn civilization. And yet, the worst is still yet to come for the two young rulers.

The character development in this book! Mafi was making me feel every emotion, and I still can’t get enough of it. I love this series so dearly, but this is one hundred percent the book where the plot ramps up. It feels like a pin finally dropped and Tahereh Mafi’s best writing fully came out. I’m so upset I have to wait until next year for the final book to be published! But I also can’t wait, this will be a series I’ll be recommending to everyone for such a long time!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ender’s Game is a sci-fi novel that takes place in a dystopian society where children are monitored for a certain amount of time before they are sent to a place called “Battle School” where they are trained as soldiers to prepare for the “Third Invasion.” The main character, Ender Wiggin, must learn his place in this strange society while also unraveling the government's secrets.

I read this book way back in 8th grade and had to read it again this year for class, but I’m glad I did because there were so many things that I missed the first time. For one, all the characters in this book are incredibly young. It makes the actions of the adults in the story all the more questionable. All of the kids, but especially Ender, are forced into situations where they are supposed to be acting almost two or three times their age. Ender is aware of this as he has the maturity of a kid who is much older, but he still has the emotional intelligence of a little kid. We see this during his various breakdowns throughout the book, as he doesn’t know how to deal with all the intense emotions he feels.

The worldbuilding of this book is also very good. It’s not super different from most Sci-Fi novels, but it feels very foundational in many of the choices it makes, such as the glowing pathways, the helmets, and the tablets.

The writing style of the book is also very interesting. I especially like the dialogue at the beginning of chapters, as it tends to foreshadow events that are yet to come, or explain things in a way that makes sense with the reader's newly acquired knowledge from previous chapters.

Overall, I would say this book is super awesome. Whether you love sci-fi or hate it, it’s a book I think everyone should read, as there are many things Ender’s Game does very well.

Videographer Katie has just been offered the gig of a lifetime: the opportunity to interview a Coast Guard super hero in Florida Keys. One problem: she can’t swim. Also, the swimmer she’s interviewing happens to be the most scientifically good looking guy she’s ever seen. In a series of crazy conflicts and the swimmer’s eccentric aunt, Rue, Katie learns what it means to be in love, and love herself.

This book was really cute! I absolutely love how simple Center’s writing is, it made the book fly by! I also adored all the characters in this novel, even the complex characters I believe I was supposed to not like I ended up enjoying them as well. The overall plot was crazy. It seemed like conflict after conflict was occurring, but it didn’t feel excessive, and in a way I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! As for the love story, it was really cute. While there was a little more miscommunication than I would have liked, I really enjoyed the story between Katie and Hutch. My only complaint was there wasn’t more of them together!

After suffering a breakdown at the police station, Sam returns to the job six months later to investigate the murder of a young 14 year old girl. At the scene of the crime, a book titled “How to Get Away with Murder,” written by a man known as Denver Brady is found. The novel acts as a guide to serial killing, and further terrorizes the city of London. In order to get justice for the young girl, Sam must put herself in the mind of Denver Brady before he and Charlotte’s killer strike again.

This book was interesting. It was fun reading a book within a book, and Denver Brady’s narrative made the story much darker and more intriguing to read. While the overall concept was interesting, the climax fell pretty flat. I couldn’t tell if I was supposed to be surprised or shocked, as the book just kept dragging on. The ending felt very slow and by the end I will admit I was excited for it to be done. That being said, I was in the mood to read a murder mystery, and “How to Get Away with Murder” definitely delivered.

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

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

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

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

After mastering the first two floors in an 18 level Dungeon, things start to pick up as Carl and Donut reach the third floor. There, they can select classes and races. They can also complete quests. Though, as the title suggests, not all goes as plan. The Borant Company, controller of the Dungeon game show, keeps finding ways to make up new mobs, and the Dungeon AI is positively insane. Definitely an exciting read, and I personally am on the sixth book.

Right off the bat this book destroys the surface of Earth and turns the survivors into a deadly video game: Dungeon Crawlers: Earth Addition. This is not your average action book but instead an unpredictable battle for survival as Carl, and his cat Donut, enter the dungeon where they are forced to fight mobs, gain upgrades, and raise their level to survive. It's like a video game but all too real. If you are looking for a sweet book, maybe pass this one. I think it's a good book, but there is some language and adult jokes, so not for really young kids. Best of all, it is in a series, so once you put this one down, you can pick up another!

Want a mystery? A legal thriller? A twisted tale of violence and deceit? You've found the right book! Phillip Margolin is the master of suspense as he presents the first novel in his magnificent Robin Lockwood series, The Third Victim! Robin Lockwood, an upstart defense lawyer, has just landed her dream job under famed attorney Regina Barrister. In doing so, she is thrust into a case surrounding a string of horrifying murders, the last victim of which is the only one who has lived to tell the tale. The presumed culprit, Alex Mason, is quickly arrested and, based on the evidence, is almost certainly the perpetrator. Yet, he proclaims his innocence, hiring Regina to defend him. However, there are multiple contradicting stories, not all of which line up with the evidence. Even worse, Regina begins to act strange, and her behavior begins to threaten the success of the case. Can Robin find the truth amid the cloud of lies?
Nothing is as it seems in this perfectly twisty mystery novel. You'll be on your toes from the ominous opening to the big reveal as new evidence surfaces and new theories fill the air. The characters are dynamic and every inch of the page gleams with the perfect mix of emotion and action. Nothing about The Third Victim is predictable -- and none of it will disappoint you, guaranteed!
This is honestly one of the best books I've read this year and I hope you will enjoy every page-turning plot twist as much as I did!

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

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

My one complaint with this book, was the underwhelming synopsis. The summary included on the back of the book doesn't do it the proper justice it deserves. Remarkably Bright Creatures is not just a novel about an octopus solving a mystery, but also self-discovery, family ties, and unlikely connections. It deals with deeply emotional concepts, and the characters feel real as they struggle through their lives, each trying to achieve their individual goals that all somehow intertwine.
My favorite part of this book was the characters. I came to love Marcellus, Tova, and Cameron immensely by the end of the book. The development of these three characters was easily my favorite part. The suspense is not as high stakes as some other realistic fiction novels, but it still had me flipping page after page, yearning for more.
I would describe Remarkably Bright Creatures as a "chill" read. A book you can read to cleanse the pallet in between intense fantasy books, or a book you can read over the course of a month if you're busy and still enjoy.