Kat B., 12The Fox Maidens is an amazing graphic novel set hundreds of years ago, but real-world issues are still acknowledged in this heart-wrenching book by Robin Ha. It quickly took a turn from a fairly realistic story about a girl who wants to fight to an epic action-packed novel filled with love, anger, and hope. My only criticism of this book is that it packed a ton of action into the end of the book, and it seemed rushed. If all of the action at the end hadn’t been squeezed into one chapter, the book would’ve been a 5 star read. All in all, I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who likes mythology, feminism, and action. I really enjoyed this book and hope that others do as well. REFERENCES
CIN Catalog. (2023). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images, Genre/Themes, and Read-alikes]. (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Kat B. (2023, November). Teen Review. Libby (Overdrive) Catalog. (2023). Retrieved from: https://libbyapp.com/library/cin NoveList Plus [Referenced for Read-alikes]. (2023). Retrieved from: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=neh&tg=UI&an=10778912&site=novp-live&custid=s5664038 Robin Ha [Author's Official Website]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://robinha81.wixsite.com/robinha
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Nic E., 13Infested is about a boy named Manny who is told that he and his family are moving out of state. When they arrive at their new home, Manny and his dad have a lot of work to do. After they find the roaches, everything is different. This is an overall good book, though the cussing is a little extreme. Yet it is unfortunately accurate with how people are. The plot is exciting and intense. I would recommend this book to anyone who can hold their stomach and/or is older than thirteen. The reason why is because there is a lot of cussing, so it could possibly be considered inappropriate. REFERENCES
Angel Luis Colon [Author's Official Website]. (2023). Retrieved from: https://angelluiscolon.com/ CIN Catalog. (2023). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images and Genre/Themes]. (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Libby Catalog. (2023). Retrieved from: https://libbyapp.com/library/cin Nic E. (2023, August). Teen Review. NoveList Plus [Read-alikes]. (2023). Retrieved from: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=neh&tg=UI&an=11137085&site=novp-live&custid=s5664038
Nic E., 13Bite Risk is an amazing horror about a thirteen-year-old boy named Ansel who lives in a world where werewolves are widely known and feared. Everything is normal as can be in Everglade until Ansel’s mother breaks free of her cage, after that everything is different. A fascinating book that is impossible to put down and will have you on the edge of your seat. I would recommend the book to anyone who likes horror with werewolves. REFERENCES
CIN Catalog. (2023). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images and Genre/Themes]. (2023). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Libby Catalog. (2023). Retrieved from: https://libbyapp.com/library/cin Nic E. (2023, August). Teen Review. NoveList Plus [Read-alikes]. (2023). Retrieved from: https://web.p.ebscohost.com/novp/search/novbasic?vid=42&sid=f8ad1846-5cbd-4989-b7a3-86a759b7e5fd%40redis Sophie Wills Author [Author's Official Website]. (2023). Retrieved from: https://sophiewillsauthor.com/
Anna, M., 17The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver follows a transgender boy named Neil Kearney who has just “broken up” with his boyfriend upon hearing the daunting confession of “I love you” and was unable to return the feelings. Although, Niel believed that they were only ever friends and were never together so they could not have “broken up” to begin with. His friend does not take this well much to Niel’s confusion, and he has come to the realization that he has nobody to help him get through his older brother’s marriage and his insufferable family and has the need to get back at his best friend for the confession. So, naturally, he finds himself a date. The date in question is his roommate, an annoying constant in his life that is persistent on being nosy, at his high school boarding school. At first Niel’s new date, Wyatt, believes him to be a down right jerk to his old friend, however as they spend more time together Wyatt forms a deeper understanding over Niel’s situation in life. As Wyatt bonds with him, Niel in turn learns how to open up to somebody new. Right off the bat the story had caught my attention by beginning the story with a break up, which served to nicely introduce the character Niel Kearney. At first Niel is seen as a jerk and instead of making excuses for his character, the author serves to give the reader a deeper analysis of the character to grasp as to why he is acting like this. The author also treats gender and sexuality with care throughout the entire book. He uses the book to question and expand the identity of multiple characters. This is important for readers to see within today’s society especially if they feel as though they are not represented properly in media. I recommend this story to anybody who has an interested in the YA romance section and want to be seen as a transgender and/or queer teen. Please be mindful for any trigger warnings. REFERENCES
Anna M. (2022, October). Teen Review. CIN Catalog. (2022). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images and Genre/Themes]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Mason Deaver Writes [Author's Official Website]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://www.masondeaverwrites.com/ NoveList Plus: The Feeling of Falling in Love [Read-alikes]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=neh&tg=UI&an=11079248&site=novp-live&custid=s5664038 Overdrive Catalog. (2022). Retrieved from: https://cin.overdrive.com/
Anna M., 17Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min is a beautifully spun story packed full of anime references, indie rock, queerness, self-discovery, and fateful love. The book follows two protagonists, Santiago and Suwa Moon. Santiago, otherwise known as Santi, is a teenager who had his heart broken by an internet friend, Memo, after leaking their song. He has recently moved to Los Angeles with his guardian in hopes of piecing his life back together. This comes in the form of joining the marching band at his new high school, the Sunshowers. The head trumpet player of the Sunshowers is Suwa who is a trangender teen with a passion for music and a prickly personality that instantly takes a dislike to Santi. Soon the feelings between the two become mutual crushing that later leads to much more, but before their love is able to fully blossom they are hit with their past just as Suwa was beginning his music career and Santi getting his feet back on the ground. The writing of the story is down right impeccable; Lio Min has a wonderful way with making situations feel real and palpable, especially when it comes to dealing with heavier topics. The book is a hurricane of feelings from the very beginning. Some parts of the story had me giggling like a little girl while others made me bitter with disdain. Both characters, and their friend group, have layers and history that adds depth to them and makes their stories intriguing. The main relationship was also well done with it feeling real and both characters actively recognizing and realizing their faults and coming back together because of that. Beating Heart Baby touched on topics such as queerness and race in an elegant way and was clearly handled with care by the author. I recommend this story to anybody that enjoys wanting to feel seen within a romance/coming-of-age novel that otherwise would have been pushed to the side. Please be mindful of the trigger warnings before picking this book up. REFERENCES
Anna M. (2022, September). Teen Review. CIN Catalog. (2022). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images, Genre/Themes, and Read-alikes]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Overdrive Catalog. (2022). Retrieved from: https://cin.overdrive.com/ Lio Min [Author's Official Website]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://liomin.com/
Anna M., 17As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh is a tale about a young woman named Salama Kassab. She was a former pharmacy student in Syria until a revolution tore her city apart uprooting her life and claiming much of her family. Having a strong need to help, she works at the hospital healing innocent people every day while also taking care of her pregnant friend, Layla. Salama has found herself stuck between choosing to stay and fight for her country or to leave in hopes of finding a better life somewhere else. Her decision becomes much easier when she meets a boy who encapsulates her “might” life before the military took control of her city. While all of these hardships happen, Salama also faces Khawf, a hallucination caused by her PTSD, who pushes her will to survive with doubts and fears. As the book begins, the readers are instantly thrown into the despair of the protagonist and her city leaving people wondering how it all got to this. The author of the story has a beautiful way of writing her tales, and while it is elegant Zoulfa does not hold back on describing the gruesome side of war. Twists and turns are everywhere in the story leaving the reader to wonder what is real and not. The main character, Salama, is realistic and has depth to her character because of all the doubt, fear, love, and hope that she showcases throughout the story. There are also many allusions to Studio Ghibli works, which I personally enjoy as a fan of the animation company, adding an excellent contrast between reality and fantasy in the story. I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading stories about fictional historical events without it being sugar coated; however, it is still through a YA lens. Although please be mindful of the trigger warnings. ReferENCE
Anna M. (2022, August). Teen Review. CIN Catalog. (2022). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images, Genre/Themes, and Read-alikes]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Overdrive Catalog. (2022). Retrieved from: https://cin.overdrive.com/ Zoulfa Katouh [Author's Official Website]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://www.zoulfakatouh.com/
Anna M., 17 Last of the Talons by Sophie Kim is a tale about conviction and injustice. The author thrusts the readers into a magical world made up of Korean mythology as the story follows a young woman of the name Shin Lina who unwillingly becomes a thief and assassin for a crime lord in her city of Sunpo. Her younger sister’s life lies in the hands of the crime lord who threatens to have her killed to ensure Shin Lina’s loyalty. One day she is forced to steal an irreplaceable tapestry made by the Dokkaebi, mythical beings much like gods, and ends up being taken by one and led into the world of the Dokkaebi. In order to be released by the emperor of the Dokkaebi and achieve freedom she has to win a hopeless wager. Set against impossible odds Shin Lina rises to the challenge to save her sister and herself from a past that still haunts her. Immediately as the first scene begins the readers are thrown into an action filled plot with a female lead that is imposing and witty. I was drawn to how Shin Lina has true depth to her character and is constantly riddled with conflicting thoughts and motives behind every move. She felt real despite being in a fantasy world. The story goes beyond just being another YA fantasy/romance novel ultimately forming a plot you would not have predicted from the start. Throughout the story there are twists and turns that keep the reader engaged the entire time with no stop to the action and tension building up. It was a fantastic read that kept me thoroughly engaged and eager to know what happens next as it progressed. I recommend this novel to people who enjoy the YA fantasy genre and are looking for a fresh new world to dip their toes in and a strong female lead. The ending is a promise for another book in the series and personally I can’t wait to pick it up and unravel new mysteries. ReFERENCES
Anna M. (2022, July). Teen Review. CIN Catalog. (2022). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images, Genre/Themes, and Read-alikes]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Overdrive Catalog. (2022). Retrieved from: https://cin.overdrive.com/ Sophie Kim Writes [Author's Official Website]. (2022). Retrieved from: https://www.sophiekimwrites.com/
Loren F., 184/5 Stars Synopsis: In Ilvernath, seven major families battle for dominance over powerful high magick, with each one more brutal and cunning than the next. Every twenty years, during the Blood Moon, each family sets forth a champion to compete in a tournament to the death. But this time around -- the champions of this year's tournament are done playing by the same old rules. As they build alliances and face painful betrayals; the truth behind the cursed Blood Veil and its tournament begins to unravel...and it is twisted and darker than you could imagine. The Hunger Games + dark magic + incredible storytelling? Sign me up! This book had it all, a truly unique magic system, extremely well-written characters with depth and fascinating backstories, and a fast-paced writing style that kept me engaged the whole way through. Each chapter was told from the different POV of each main character (all while staying in the third person narrative) which really allowed us to see into the minds and hearts of each character and learn more about their struggles, fears, and desires. I also really enjoyed how the authors' writing styles seemed to blend together seamlessly, all while telling a compelling and creative story. Merciless, dark, and intriguing; "All Of Us Villains" is the perfect blend of suspense, excitement, and mystery that will leave you yearning for more. With shocking twists and a ton of "OMG" moments, I can definitely say this is one of my favorite reads of the year, and will surely be a huge hit when it is officially released. I can't wait for the sequel, as this book definitely ends on a bit of a cliffhanger! --- For more book reviews from Loren, checkout her Instagram: @reading.with.frances! REFERENCES
Amanda Foody [Author's Official Website]. (2021). Retrieved from: https://www.amandafoody.com/ CIN Catalog. (2021). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images, Genre/Themes, and Read-alikes]. (2021). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Loren F. (2021, July). Teen Review. Overdrive Catalog. (2021). Retrieved from: https://cin.overdrive.com/
Hannah H., 17The Gilded Ones, by Namina Forna, is a tale of bravery, friendship, and love combined into a page-turning fantasy novel. Our protagonist, Deka, has been brought up to believe certain ideas her entire life, and having red-blood to be pure is one of many. But when the blood ceremony comes (a ritual to test the purity of the village girls) Deka’s blood oozes a deep golden hue, making her impure. Deka’s execution shortly follows, but in a surprising turn of events her final end does not come. This sparks her new life full of unimaginable pain, adventure, and self-discovery. What sort of creature has she developed into-- one so powerful as to hinder death? Although this work has an action-based storyline that truly draws the reader in, what stood out to me in Forna’s writing was Deka’s journey in developing herself. She comes from the harshest situation, and with the help of mentors and friends, Deka turns into the greatest warrior of them all. But underneath the glory and honor, there is just a feeling that doesn’t make sense in our main-character's mind. The monsters, called Deathshrieks, that her team specializes in killing, seem to know something about Deka that she doesn’t know about herself. What piece of the puzzle is she missing in her bizarre new life of battle? In all, I truly recommend this amazing fantasy novel to anyone in the teen audience. The only negative review of this work is that I wish it was longer, for the ending could have been stretched out for more suspense. Nevertheless, it’s page-turning and action-packed chapters truly immerse you into Deka’s world. I have spent many hours reading this novel, not even realizing the time that has passed. Thank you for reading this review, and I hope that you take the time to explore The Gilded Ones! REFERENCES
CIN Catalog. (2021). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Book Club Discussion Questions. (2021, June). Usborne. Retrieved from: https://usborne.com/media/book_club_notes/bookclubqs-thegildedones.pdf Goodreads [Cover Images]. (2021). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Hannah H. (2021, June). Teen Review. Namina Forna [Author's Official Website]. (2021). Retrieved from: https://naminaforna.com/ NoveList Plus: The Gilded Ones [Genre/Themes and Read-alikes]. (2021). Retrieved from: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=neh&tg=UI&an=10892051&site=novp-live&custid=s5664038 Overdrive Catalog. (2021). Retrieved from: https://cin.overdrive.com/
Hannah H., 16A Peculiar Peril, by Jeff VanderMeer, fills the readers’ head with an oddly wonderful tale full of heroics and friendship. When Jonathan Lambshead first steps onto the eerie estate that he has inherited from his late grandfather, this young man suspects that something unusual is afoot. Abnormal and mysterious, the strange house hides more than just oddities. A hidden world known as the Aurora has been unlocked for Jonathan and his friends through this mansion, and what adventures and evils will they unearth? From talking vegetables and animals to incomprehensible threats, this novel is truly a page-turner and, at times, rather frightening. Incredibly lengthy--yet satisfying, VanderMeer’s two-part work provides an excellent story line, but some chapters definitely don’t add much to the overall arch of the book. Overall, this tale was a horrifying treat to read, and I would recommend it to any teen with a taste for fantasy, science-fiction, or horror stories. REFERENCES
CIN Catalog. (2021). Retrieved from: https://catalog.cin.bywatersolutions.com/ Goodreads [Cover Images]. (2021). Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/ Hannah H. (2021, March). Teen Review. Jeff VanderMeer [Author's Official Website]. (2021). Retrieved from: https://www.jeffvandermeer.com/ NoveList Plus: A Peculiar Peril [Genre/Themes and Read-alikes]. (2021). Retrieved from: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=neh&tg=UI&an=10903117&site=novp-live&custid=s5664038 Overdrive Catalog. (2021). Retrieved from: https://cin.overdrive.com/ |
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