Set in a world of Middle Eastern mythology, “Rebel of the Sands” tells the story of survival in a setting designed to kill you. Amani has lived her whole life fighting for herself. Her plan for her life has centered around one goal: get out of her poor town of Dustwalk and head to Miraji’s glistening capital. When her escape comes in the form of a fugitive named Jin, she doesn’t hesitate to follow him across lands she’s never crossed in the hopes for a better life. But along the way she realizes there’s more about her world than what meets the eye, and she sees that she may be finally called for a higher purpose.

This book was pretty basic in terms of YA fantasy, but it was still fun to read! I read this after “The City of Brass,” a novel that has insanely complex and intricate magic and fantasy systems, so reading “Rebel of the Sands” after was like a breath of fresh air. I will say the majority of this novel seems to be set up for the next books in the series, but I’m still not sure if I’ll continue. Needless to say, however, if you’re looking for an easy to read and fun fantasy set in the desert, this could be a good novel for you. I know people who love this series!

The Bad Beginning is a period adventure drama about the three Baudelaire siblings, who, after their parents die in a fire, are sent to live with their mysterious relative, Count Olaf. I enjoyed this book because it was a unique yet classic exciting read. I think the author did a great job designing genuinely repulsive and detestable villains. The only flaw is that the dictionary definitions of big words were placed right after the word and distracted from the flow of the book. Overall, this is an easy and fun to read book that I enjoyed. Reviewer grade: 8

Set in eighteenth century Cairo, Nahri is a con artists who spends her days marking arrogant soldiers and planning her next meal. So when she accidentally summons the mythical djinn warrior, Dara, she sees her carefully planned life in turmoil. When he whisks her away to the magical city of Daevabad, Nahri discovers shocking secrets about her heritage and navigates complicated political affairs, as she also discovers that her companion may not be all he says he is.

The City of Brass is a high fantasy novel and made for a fun read! While I absolutely adore fantasy, the backdrop and the mythology in which this story is based made for a longer and more complicated read. The magic systems were intricate and the history of the djinn were incredibly complex. That being said, it’s clear that the author put her soul into writing this novel, as nearly everything was seamless! The characters were flawed and forced to navigate complicated political environments that challenged their personal morals, and the ending was crazy! I genuinely feel like all hope is lost now, I have no clue how the author can write two more books expanding the plot when so much happened just in the last 50 pages! If anyone is looking for a plot based high fantasy, definitely don’t sleep on this one, it was so much fun to read!

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is an absurdist space adventure comedy about a man named Arthur Dent who is taken to space on a crazy adventure. I enjoyed this book because it had lots of weird humor and laughs. I think the author did a great job designing zany characters. The only flaw is that sometimes the ridiculous comedy makes the plot nonsensical. Otherwise, this is a hilarious and fun read that I recommend!
Reviewer grade: 8

This volume introduces more Dragon Level monsters such as Nyaan and their capabilities to rival Class S Heroes. The Hero Hunter Garou is shown to be growing in power reaching levels far beyond his capabilities before. This is shown in his battle against Class S Puri-Puri Prisoner. Saitama encounters Class S Hero Flashy Flash as he goes deeper in the Monster HQ. Skeptical about Saitama's presence, Flashy Flash strikes at him. He is left shocked at his ability to react to his light speed blitz. Flashy Flash remembers Saitama as Genos' sidekick labeling him as a hero.

This is one of the best reactions of the Hero Association's recognition towards Saitama's strength so far, it delivers a satisfying conclusion that more and more Class S Heroes are recognizing his potential. I love the buildup towards Garou's inevitable growth towards being a Dragon Level Monster, being able to adapt more and more efficiently towards any opponent, and looking more monstrous as he progresses. A great buildup story overall for the upcoming big events. The portrayed art style really brings the feel of a difference between power in the manga, whether it be on speed or strength which creates a heavy impact on the characters' own specialized abilities.

This was an absolutely amazing book! In Skyhunter Talin, the main character, is part of a fearless and talented group of soldiers called strikers. Regardless of the pain and sorrow she experiences she continues to defend the country of Mara from the Karensa Federation. However it all seems hopeless, until she meets an escaped federation soldier who changes everything. I really loved learning about and connecting with the characters in this book, and the constant action and tension made it almost impossible to stop reading. Although one of my favorite parts of the book might just be the little mouse. I would definitely recommend this book!
Reviewer grade: 8

Five years ago, Wendy Darling and her brothers went missing in the woods. Six months later, only Wendy was found, and her brothers were never heard of again. It's the story that has haunted both the little coastal town of Astoria and Wendy's family. Now, as an 18-year-old ready to head to college, Wendy is intent on starting a new life away from the tragedy.

Unfortunately, her plans are interrupted when children from the town start disappearing.

Naturally, the police link this new string of disappearances to Wendy's case and begin questioning her. But despite their urgency, Wendy doesn't remember anything from the six months she went missing. To add to it all, one day, she stumbles upon an unconscious boy in the woods. Except the boy is not just any boy - he's Peter Pan, a figure who Wendy thought only existed in the tales her mom used to tell her and her brothers when they were little. But Peter Pan is in danger, and unless Wendy confronts her past - plus whatever sinister being lies in the woods, they might lose the missing children for good.

I think my favorite thing about this book is its unique setting: it's realistic, but there's also a little bit of magic intertwined in it thanks to Peter Pan. I also loved the spooky descriptions of the woods and personally think it helped add suspense to the story. The beginning of the book pulled me in instantly, and the end wrapped everything up quite nicely (it also left me feeling a bit emotional). However, the book began to get repetitive towards the middle - a lot of it was Wendy and Peter being tortured, Wendy questioning what was happening, and Peter trying to distract her while also not being of much help. I found Peter's character quite irritating at times (although he was funny), and Wendy herself was kind of flat; a lot of the side characters also felt like afterthoughts. I did find myself rooting for Wendy and Peter's relationship, however; they developed a genuine emotional bond that didn't feel forced, and I liked the parts where they helped comfort each other through all the emotional baggage and trauma they went through. It's also an interesting clash of two completely different worlds - a girl who's legally an adult and a boy who isn't supposed to grow up - although this wasn't really explored much in the book. The author also did a good job portraying Wendy's mental warfare (i.e. her guilt and PTSD from her past), and her character arc and journey to healing were well written. Overall, Lost in the Never Woods was a creative story with a very raw portrayal of trauma (and overcoming it), and although it has its faults, the book did leave a strong emotional impact on me, and I can't say I didn't enjoy it.

The Court of the Dead is the sequel to Sun and the Star, which follows Nico Di Angelo, son of Hades. Nico’s half-sister Hazel asks him and his boyfriend, Will Solace to help at Camp Jupiter and they get caught in many additional adventures! I loved this book so much! It was such a great book, I love how Rick Riordan writes in general, and this was another great addition to his works! Nico is personally my favorite character in the entire Riordan universe, and I just love reading his character so much!

Incendiary is an amazing book meant to capture your attention and keep you reading until the very end. Although this book has some slower parts, it always picks back up within two pages. The story resembles the time of the Spanish Inquisition with a magical twist. The main character, Renata, is a Robari, or memory thief, who is part of the Whispers. Eight years ago, she was taken out of merciless King Fernando's castle by the rebel group of people with other magics like Ren's called the Moria. After her unit leader and love, Dez, is taken by Prince Castian, Renata goes on a journey to get her revenge and uncover the secrets of the war. In the castle, she finds overwhelming memories of her previous time there, having been used as a weapon, along with the thousands of haunting stolen memories she carries with her. Having neglected her own past so long, she has no idea what devastating secrets await her, and how they could completely change her view on the Whispers, and Prince Castian himself. One of the best things about this book was it's originality. The magic and writing are set in ways I have never seen before. The unexpected ending has me anxious to read the second one. This was definitely one of the best books I've read this year.

After marrying to form a political alliance between both their nations, Alaric and Talasyn are far from at peace with one another. However, as the two grow closer and the world hangs in the balance with the Moonless Dark upcoming, loyalties are tested and the two must question what their motives might mean for the other. Little do they both know something more sinister is brewing.

This was a great sequel to “The Hurricane Wars!” While I felt like a lot of the plot was relatively predictable, it still made for an easy and exciting read. However, at the very end of the novel, Guanzon wrote an astounding plot twist that I truly did not see coming! With heavy tension still laying between the two main characters and this new development of the story, I’m very excited to see what Guanzon will do for the finale!

A year after her girlfriend's tragic passing, Felicity Morrow has returned to Dalloway School for her second attempt at graduation, heading back to her old room at the campus' historic Godwin House. Felicity has always been drawn to the occult, and Dalloway only feeds her obsession: Godwin House is even supposedly haunted by the ghosts of the Dalloway Five, five young women who died under mysterious circumstances on Godwin Grounds. But the occult is no longer a place of solace for Felicity, not when she's convinced her dead girlfriend, Alex, is haunting her, and Felicity is now only interested in her grades and graduating.

Unfortunately, the new Dalloway student has other plans for her. After her debut novel won a Pulitzer Prize, Ellis Haley enrolled in Dalloway School to research the Dalloway Five for her second book. Ellis is a method writer, putting herself in her character's own insane adventures, and Felicity can't help but be drawn to her intelligence and whimsy. And eventually, Felicity reluctantly agrees when Ellis asks her to help her research the Dalloway Five. But when strange events begin to follow Felicity wherever she goes, Felicity is forced to confront the ghosts that plague her mind - including Alex.

Perhaps the summary of this book sounds straightforward. I will tell you it's not. Perhaps, it's because Felicity is an incredibly unreliable narrator, which may throw some people off, but the book left me unsatisfied and with more questions than answers. Initially, I thought the Dalloway Five would have more importance to the plot, but truthfully, not much is revealed about them or their deaths either. In fact, the whole magical/paranormal circumstances surrounding Dalloway are fairly muddled and confusing, and by the end, I was confused what role magic even had in the whole book. Perhaps it was intentional, as the author was likely trying to make the reader question reality, but I feel like it could've been executed better.

It is important to mention that Felicity suffers from psychotic depression, which heavily impacts her narrative. As I have never dealt with this condition, I will not speak for people who have suffered from this disorder. There are also side characters who struggle with mental health issues. The reviews I've seen online regarding the representation of mental health in the book are mixed: some people say the characters with issues are portrayed in a very bad light, which is ironic considering that Felicity mentions at some point how people with mental disorders are often seen as crazy/insane. Others feel seen by the author and satisfied with the portrayal; the author herself has battled psychotic depression and wanted to touch on her own experiences.

These points aside, I personally did not connect to any of the characters in the book. A lot of the side characters felt flat and incredibly pretentious, and I personally disliked Felicity and Ellis. There has also been some discontent online regarding the representation of the two POC characters; one character's biggest purpose in the book was to tell Felicity about racism. The beginning of the book set off a nice tone, and I liked reading about the history of Dalloway and the whole historical lore behind it. However, the rest of the book dragged on for so long I had trouble even remembering what happened. Then, the book started picking up at around 70%, and the rest of the book was packed with random twists and turns to the point it felt like a completely different story. The ending was rushed, and the big twist felt like it was thrown in at the last minute, though I must say I didn't see some of it coming. There were also other random plot points added in that I felt like weren't necessary. This book felt all over the place for me, and it didn't give the greatest reading experience, but it does have its audience, and perhaps I may recommend it to a friend or two.

All Talasyn has known is the Hurricane Wars. Her whole life has been composed of fighting and defending her land of Sardovia from the tyrannous Night Empire. Following a devastating blow and a shocking discovery, Talasyn meets Alaric, the newly crowned Emperor of the Night Empire. Despite being sworn enemies, the two must work together to face a new and rising evil.

This book was really fun to read! I saw a lot of people saying it gave the same vibes as Rae and Ben Solo from Star Wars, and while I don’t really like that comparison, I love Star Wars and I could see a little similarity with the world Guanzon wrote. I do wish the novel was a little less romance focused, as I feel as though some elements of the romance plot overtook the main fantasy story. Overall, this was a very fun book, and I’m excited to continue with the series!

In the third installment of the House of Devils series, Darien must race against the clock in order to save Loren. The cost? It requires him and his Devils to venture to a completely different city, Yveswich. Meanwhile, in Ker's bustling capital city, Roman Devlin only lives for one purpose: to protect his brothers. The last thing he expects is for Darkslaying rival, Shayla Cousens, to steal and blackmail him. Now, with both Darien and Roman's lives becoming uprooted, the true dangers of the conflicts in Terra begin to evolve in terrifying new ways.

Wow! Just when I thought the plot couldn't evolve any further, Kayla Edwards continuously proves me wrong! I'm so glad the author included the perspectives of both new characters and old side characters. It definitely helped shape the plot and furthered my understanding of the conflict. I also absolutely love the found family trope that begins to develop in this novel. While the story was steadily building towards it in the previous novels, the effects are displayed more clearly in this novel. As per all of her books, Edwards did not fail at making me feel every emotion. I laughed, I cried, and my heart broke on more than one occasion for nearly all of the characters. I am so excited to continue this series, and I am so upset the rest of the series is not written already.

In the fourth installment of the House of Devils, the city of Yveswich is in uproar. With the city rapidly declining and the imperator only allowing limited time to get out, the Devils and the other Darkslayers must race against the clock. Within Yveswich, a dangerous new magic is forming, and it is up to the Devils to save not only the world, but also one another.

This book made me feel everything. Looking back from the first book, the plot is so much more intricate now and every character serves a purpose. I'm so impressed with how the author is able to seamlessly implement relatively small details from the first novels and make them serve a much larger purpose in this book. There was so much foreshadowing in books 1 and 2 and I just did not notice it! As I have said with previous reviews, I adore the characters, and this book allowed for so much plot-focused character development. While the decisions of some characters made me angry, I could always understand why they would make the decisions they did along with the information provided to them. I'm so sad this is a continuing series and this is the last book that is published, but I'm so excited to see where Kayla Edwards takes this series next! It's very rare that nearly every book in a series is five stars, but the author writes this story so well that I can't help but find it perfect.

Following the events of “City of Gods and Monsters,” Loren and Darien have new challenges to face. With Loren being blackmailed and Darien fighting demons only he can see, the two are forced to engage in a continuously growing conflict that not only threatens Angelthene, but their world of Terra as they know it.

I love this series! This book had me in a chokehold with the amount of the emotions the author was emitting. These characters just can’t catch a break! I also love how she expanded the characters instead of just talking about Loren and Darien, it really helped give a new perspective to the plot and conflict. I can’t wait to continue!

In a world of werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures, Loren Calla’s only goal is to survive as long as she can as a human surrounded by immortals. When her friend gets kidnapped in place of Loren, she has no choice but to accept the help of Darien Cassel, the head of most dangerous bounty hunting group in the city. Together, the two race to discover why a human like Loren is so valuable, and unearth the secrets of their city, Angelthene, while facing other indescribable creatures.

I loved this book so much! It reminds me of Monster High (which I was a huge fan of when I was younger) but for adults. I loved all of the character development and the conflicts had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. While some people may say the book was too long, I personally disagree. I feel as though the length allowed more scenes and development for the characters, which isn’t usually seen in novels as plot focused as this one. I will definitely be continuing the series, and I’m so excited to see where the author takes this story next!

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata is such an interesting and unique book, following a woman throughout her life facing trauma and coping with it in many unhealthy ways. She's unable to become a "cog in the machine" as she grows up, straying further and further from society. This book changed my perspective on many things, and I found some parts unsettlingly familiar. I went into the book without any knowledge of it, however as it is a sort of psychological horror and there were quite a few scenes with disturbing topics such as sexual assault, violence, and child abuse/neglect. Without spoiling too many things it's safe to say it's a very heavy read, but I found it to be extremely worth it, as it was thrilling, captivating, and I loved how the characters were written. (I'm in grade 12)

Jurassic Park is a sci-fi thriller about a park that has figured out how to clone once-extinct dinosaurs and has invited two paleontologists to tour it. I chose to read this book because I love dinosaurs and have seen all the Jurassic movies. I enjoyed this book because it is an exciting thriller with lots of dinosaur action. I also appreciated how the author didn't hold back with the consequences of bringing back dinosaurs. Overall, this is a creative and masterful novel that I highly recommend.

Project Hail Mary is a sci-fi adventure book about a scientist and former schoolteacher, Ryland Grace, who has been tasked with a mission to explore another planetary system to discover the secrets of a sun-dimming microbe that threatens Earth. I enjoyed this book because it is filled with heart and comedy. I also appreciated how the author took time to explore the science of Grace's discoveries. It had a few flaws- sometimes the science distracted from the pacing, and some characters' choices didn't make sense. Overall, this is an amazing book that I enjoyed- I highly recommend it!

The highest honor a girl in Huaxia can achieve is to become a concubine pilot, to be paired with a boy to power the giant robots, called Chrysalises, that defend their nation from aliens lurking outside the Great Wall. But this profession results in a high mortality rate for girls, who always seem to be less capable of withstanding the mental and physical strain of piloting than their male counterparts, and their contributions are largely ignored. When Zetian's older sister is killed during a battle by her male co-pilot, Zetian offers herself up to the system with one goal in mind: avenge her sister by killing her killer. She succeeds and gains notoriety as the Iron Widow, a woman who sacrifices male pilots in battles instead of the opposite. In an effort to control her newfound power, Zetian is paired with the most powerful - and the most hated - male pilot in Huaxia, Li Shimin, known mainly for murdering his brothers and his father. But even with the world hellbent on keeping her on a leash, Zetian refuses to be silenced. She will do everything in her power to tear apart the pilot system responsible for the death of her sister and thousands of other girls.

This book is the exact definition of unhinged - it gave a raw and unfiltered depiction of female rage that was at times a little relatable. The author was able to encapsulate Zetian's feelings about her status in such a visceral and devastating way that I could not help but root for her. The story was fast paced and intriguing, with many twists in both the characters backstories and the plot that left me continuously turning at the pages to read more. I also loved the China-based setting coupled with the futuristic technology and mechas - it was truly unique. However, as much as I loved this book, I still do have some issues with it. The nation's patriarchal system isn't really given any historical context, even with the secrets Zetian uncovers in the end. I also found some of the characters, including Zetian at times, stereotypical or lacking in depth. The ending was full of giant plot twists, some of which I found a little rushed or random. But despite these critiques, I did enjoy this book for its boldness, and I might consider reading its sequel as well. And as a side note: the author is hilarious, I love them, and I also love Yizhi.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.