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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

"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.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a brilliant and heart-warming book truly worth reading. The novel follows 17-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster dealing with stage 4 cancer as she faces teenage life, family, her inevitable decline, and her heart. During support group she meets Augustus Waters an intelligent and funny guy who desires to be remembered. They form a close-knit friendship and bond over the book “An Imperial Affliction” until soon their friendship turns into their star-crossed love. They adventure with Issac —another guy from support group—, see the art piece “Funky Bones”, and eventually travel to Amsterdam to see the author of “An Imperial Affliction”. But awaiting their return to the U.S. is the devastating turn around that no one expects.

This book will make you laugh, cry, and will leave you wanting to reread it. John Green’s writing style is beautiful and the love story he writes is one of the greatest ever told. The characters are written incredibly and the attachment I personally felt with this book is one I have never felt before. The novel is captivating and I recommend it to anyone because everyone can find some piece relatable. You will not regret reading this book!

“How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates” mixes rom-coms and horror into one great slasher novel. When Jamie decides to attend a speed-dating event with her best friend Laurie, the last thing she expects is to be forced into a real life slasher film. As tensions run high, she realizes she may not only be in a makeshift slasher movie, but it seems like the killer is attempting to create a romantic comedy atmosphere as well. With her wits and fellow daters, Jamie must use everything she’s learned from her years of watching and studying horror films to survive the night and hopefully find her happily ever after.

I thought this concept was so cool. While I found the plot twist to be sort of predictable, as a slasher enjoyer myself, I found the novel to be very entertaining. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time waiting to see who would survive and who would succumb to horror tropes. While I thought it was interesting, I didn’t love the rom-com aspect of the novel. I thought that part was boring and not very well developed. But, I absolutely love how the author tied it in with the ending!

The Crown by Kiera Cass is the fifth and final book in The Selection series. It is a sequel to book four and cannot be read as a standalone.
The book continues immediately from the previous one where Eadlyn’s mother has suffered from a heart attack and her father announces her as Regent of Illea while he takes care of her mother. She resumes her Selection process with the remaining suitors, while handling political unrest, social tensions, and pressure over potential political marriages.
In the end, she goes against the traditional Selection rules, following her heart and concluding the series in a fulfilling resolution.
In my opinion, this book was entertaining with much more drama than the books that came before it. Eadlyn’s growth arc was satisfying, considering how frustrating her character started out as.
I would recommend this book to those who like romantic dramas, royalty stories, and political intrigue in YA fiction.

The Heir by Kiera Cass is the fourth book in The Selection series and can be read without having prior read the first three books in the series.
The story takes place about twenty years after the third book and is centered on Maxon and America’s first-born daughter, who was born a few minutes before her twin brother, making her the first female heir to the throne in Illea’s history.
The caste system has been abolished, but discrimination and tension in the kingdom continue to persist. As a “distraction” for the people, Princess Eadlyn is convinced to have a Selection to find a husband.
In the beginning, she presents herself as rude and unapproachable but as she gets to know the men, her view of love changes.
In my opinion, this book was engaging but a little unoriginal, building on the concept of the first three books. Eadlyn can be spoiled and self-centered, which may frustrate some readers, though her growth throughout the story adds depth.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy romantic dramas, princess stories, and dystopian settings.

The One by Kiera Cass is the third book in The Selection series and cannot be read as a standalone.
In the third book of the series, the Selection continues on with America as part of the three girls left, competing for Prince Maxon’s heart. America must finally confront her feelings for Maxon and Aspen, as tensions in the kingdom rise and rebels threaten the royal family. She makes her decision, relationships are clarified, and the series is mostly resolved.
In my opinion, this book was a satisfying conclusion to America’s story. Although the love triangle and plot were mostly predictable, the author’s writing was engaging.
I would recommend this book to people who like romantic dramas, love triangles, and dystopian royalty stories.

The Elite by Kiera Cass is the second book in The Selection series and cannot be read as a standalone.
In the second installment of the series, the Selection contest carries on with six remaining finalists as America grapples with her growing feelings for Prince Maxon and her lingering feelings for Aspen, who now works as a guard at the palace. She also struggles with jealousy, competition, and the manipulation of the other five finalists.
In my opinion, this book was less entertaining than the first one and by this point, the plot started to drag a little. The love triangle drama remained partially forced and America was still a frustrating lead character.
I would recommend this book to people who liked royalty romances, love triangles, and light drama filled YA novels.

The Selection by Kiera Cass is a romance novel, set in a dystopian future where there is a strict caste system (with one being the royals and eight being the criminals) that decides what job you have in the kingdom of Illea.
The story is centered on America Singer, a girl from caste five who has a future in music, when she is chosen for The Selection. The Selection is a televised contest where 35 girls vie for the hand of Prince Maxon, heir to the throne.
America, in the beginning, has no interest in the prince and harbors feelings for her secret boyfriend Aspen, from caste six. But as she gets to know Maxon, they develop a complicated romantic connection.
In my opinion, the book was entertaining, and Kiera Cass’s writing has a distinct voice. However, America was a frustrating main character. The story was rather predictable and the love triangle drama seemed almost forced at points.
I would recommend this book to people who like romance novels, dystopian settings, and lighthearted love triangle drama.

Joan Goodwin has always dreamed of the stars. In 1980s Houston, NASA is finally willing to begin integrating women astronauts into the program. With her group of fellow astronaut candidates, Joan navigates a world of love, family, and friends in a word slowly beginning to accept diversity.

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. Having enjoyed other Reid books, I knew I would have some level of enthusiasm, but I liked it much more than I thought I would. For starters, I have always been intrigued by space and space travel, so I especially enjoyed the whimsical personality Joan obtained throughout the story. I also absolutely adored the relationship between Joan and her niece, Frances. Frances was probably my favorite character by far, as she was so lively and felt so real even as a fictional child. I didn’t care for the love story much, which would be my only complaint, but I was fascinated at how well Reid weaved the intricacies of romance and occupations in the time period of the 1980s.

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the third book in The Inheritance Games series and cannot be read as a standalone.
The final installment follows the final weeks leading up to Avery Grambs’s eighteenth birthday when she will officially inherit Tobias Hawthorne’s fortune. This book introduces a visitor from outside the Hawthorne family, adding a new mystery and extra layers of conflict.
In my opinion, while I enjoy the concept of the universe and the puzzles, this book felt somewhat unnecessary. I understand that a satisfying conclusion was required, but by this point, the mystery felt forced and the love triangle drama felt like filler. Additionally, Avery’s character still felt overly adaptable and lacked distinctive growth, and the series’ signature riddles and puzzles, while clever, no longer felt as engaging or surprising. The resolution wrapped up loose ends but did so in a way that sometimes felt rushed or convenient.
I would recommend this book to those who have already read the first two books in the series and enjoy puzzle-driven mysteries, family intrigue, and romantic tension.

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the second book in The Inheritance Games series and it can’t be read as a standalone.
The book is about solving the mystery of how Avery Grambs is connected to Tobias Hawthorne and why she inherited his fortune. The story introduces more riddles, puzzles, and twists, while simultaneously intensifying the love triangle conflicts between Grayson Hawthorne and Jameson Hawthorne.
In my opinion, the book was engaging and kept me turning pages quickly, with clever puzzles and moments of suspense that made it fun to read. But, while the sequel expands the mystery, it lacks the tight-pacing or the satisfying puzzle-solving of the first book, often leading to repetition of structure. The novel leans heavily into the love triangle and ongoing riddles, but the central reveal doesn’t feel as impactful as the buildup suggests. Like many middle books in a trilogy, it spends more time setting up future twists than delivering a fully satisfying story on its own.
I would recommend this book to those who have already read the first book in the series and enjoy mysteries, clever puzzles, and romantic tension.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes follows Avery Grambs, a teenage girl living in her car, when she—out of the blue—becomes the youngest billionaire when she inherits billionaire Tobias Hawthorne’s money.
The catch? She has to live in the Hawthorne Mansion alongside the family Tobias Hawthorne just disinherited while solving riddles and puzzles.
In my opinion, this book was enjoyable. The short chapters led to a fast-paced book with a love-triangle subplot. Personally, I found most of the characters likable except for Jameson Hawthorne—one of Tobias’s four grandsons—and Avery, herself. Jameson had a tendency to speak in riddles and nonsense that made no sense, and his “rebellious” behavior was, at points, irritating. While Avery Kylie Grambs is positioned as a relatable and grounded protagonist, her personality often feels too adaptable and indistinct, making it difficult to form a strong emotional connection with her.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy fast-paced mysteries, riddles and brain teasers, and love triangles.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani follows the two opposite best friends Sophie and Agatha, who are unexpectedly taken from their village home to the fabled School for Good and Evil where children are trained to become fairy-tale heroes and villains.
Sophie, who dreams of being a princess with her pink dresses and countless good deeds, is placed in the School for Evil, while Agatha, who sees herself as an outcast, is sent to the School for Good.
As they struggle to fit into their unexpected roles, the girls begin to question what truly makes someone “good” or “evil,” and their friendship is tested as they try to find a way back home.
In my opinion, this book was great. The writing style was entertaining and descriptive, and I thought it was a unique twist on common fairytale tropes. Sophie and Agatha were both likable characters for entirely different reasons—Sophie is more than what she seems while Agatha cannot see past her appearance.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy twisted fairy tales, magical school settings, and character-driven stories.

Carrie Soto had it all. Since training with her father since the age of two, she has become the only women’s tennis player to win 20 grand slams. Her career was shaped by grueling and tireless matches, and now one woman threatens to take it all. The year is 1994 and Nicki Chan has officially matched Carrie’s record of 20 slams. Not willing to let her greatest player title be taken, Carrie makes the shocking decision to come out of retirement at age 37 in order to defend her record.

Wow! This book was really exciting! I originally picked it up because I’m a tennis player and was very interested to read a book about tennis, and Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint. Carrie Soto is not by any means a character I felt compelled to root for, but as she continued to develop and her story evolved, I found myself inexplicably drawn to her passion of the sport. I specifically enjoyed how Reid developed her character through the coaching of her father, Javier. Despite the bumps and complications of their relationship, Reid describes a genuine and emotional connection between the father and daughter, and it was beautiful to read.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a cozy, heart-warming story about a caseworker who investigates a top secret orphanage filled with magical children. This is not an intense read by any means, and it has a good bit of humor as well as some lovely commentary about the nature of love and chosen family. I thought it had a relatively slow start, but I'm very glad I stuck with it. I think this book is meant to open the hearts and minds of the reader alongside the protagonist. A refreshing, wholesome story that kept me hooked until the very end.

I really enjoyed Little Women more than I thought I would. The March sisters each have such distinct personalities, and watching them grow up and navigate life felt really relatable, even though the story is from the 1800s. I especially loved Jo, her independence and passion for writing really resonated with me. Some parts felt a little slow, especially the family’s daily routines, but the overall story is heartwarming and full of lessons about family, love, and perseverance. Definitely a classic worth reading.

I found Jane Eyre surprisingly emotional and engaging. Jane is such a determined and independent character, especially considering the time period the book was written in. I really appreciated how the story shows her personal growth and moral strength. The gothic elements added some suspense, especially in the Thornfield parts. Some sections were a bit long, but the story and characters made it worth it. It ended up being one of my favorite classics.

This book was interesting, but also a bit frustrating for me. The writing and atmosphere are really powerful, and the setting feels dark and intense. However, a lot of the characters are difficult to like, especially Heathcliff and Catherine, which made it harder for me to connect with the story. I still appreciated the emotional intensity and the way the novel explores obsession and revenge. Even though it wasn’t my favorite, I’m glad I read it because it’s definitely unique among classic novels.

This book felt really atmospheric to me. Fitzgerald’s writing style is beautiful, and the way he describes the setting and the characters made everything feel vivid. Gatsby himself is such a mysterious and tragic character, which made the story more compelling. I also liked how the book explores themes like the American Dream and how people chase illusions. Sometimes the symbolism felt a bit heavy. But overall, it was a really interesting and thoughtful read.

I loved this book more than I expected to. At first, the language felt a little too formal, but after a few chapters I got used to it and started enjoying Austen’s humor. Elizabeth Bennet is such a strong and witty character, and watching her relationship with Darcy develop was really satisfying. The social commentary about class and marriage still feels surprisingly relevant today. Some parts move slowly, but the dialogue and character interactions kept me interested. Overall, it’s one of those classics that actually lives up to the hype.

Pip has become a local legend and internet crime solving star. Her fame grows exponentially after she publishes her podcast on Andie Bell's murder case, but she promises her family she won't seek out more cases because of the danger it put her and those she loved in. However, when her best friend Conner begs her to help find his missing brother, Pip decides to open one last case and find Jamie Reynolds.

I enjoyed this sequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. In my opinion, the first was better, but the second was still very good. I finished it in less than two days. The second half of the book is especially interesting. Good Girl, Bad Blood doesn't just focus on the mystery, but also the relationships she has with her family, Ravi, Cara, Conner, and her other close friends. Holly Jackson does a wonderful job of exploring how the detective work Pip engages in affects her mental health and relationships. Personally, I found the emotional exploration more interesting than the mystery at times. Jackson makes sure to provide realistic emotions that Pip feels after being targeted while trying to solve her previous case. This book is well worth your time, especially if you enjoyed the first book in the series. It is an epic continuation of a story that started long before Pippa picked up the Andie Bell case.