By: Taran Matharu
Reviewed By: Ddraig G.
Rating: It was amazing!
In this first book in the first series of this upcoming star writer, Tara Matharu, venture into a strange new world, similar to Eragon, as a war between orcs and humans unfolds. Follow Fletcher as he embarks on a trip to learn how to control the power of demon summoning. This is the first book of the summoner trilogy.
I would recommend this to: Teens, Preteens, and Young Adults
By: Sinead O'Hart
Reviewed By: Tano A.
Rating: I really liked it.
When Emmeline's mom and dad disappear she finds that she is heading for a safe house where allies have pledged to protect her but she finds some one who is going to Greenland. He wants to summon a mythical creature from the ice, but someone evil wants to do it, too.
I would recommend this to: Teens who are into adventure.
By: Richard Paul Evans
Reviewed By: Ddraig G.
Rating: It was amazing!
The fourth book in the series, it serves as a cool down of sorts. Although there is a tad less action than in the previous installations of the series, this book does more than enough in satisfying the needs and wants of the reader. Storm of Lightning serves as more of a relief book, in the sense of tying up loose ends and resolving hanging questions, as well as bringing more suspense to the table with new perspective entwined in the vast mixture. This is an excellent book for grounded sci-fi fans and I definitely recommend it.
I would recommend this to: Teens, Preteens, and Young Adults
By: Jolene Perry
Reviewed By: Carina A.
Rating: It was alright...
If you're into cliche romance then you'll really like this book, but unfortunately it wasn't my type. This book is about Kate, who has just broken up with her boyfriend and struggles with diabetes and finds Aiden, who has come home from the military due to an accident that has changed his life. Together they unravel their insecurities and fall in love.
I would recommend this to: Teens 13 and over and those who suffer from diabetes or are into military type stuff.
By: Danielle Paige
Reviewed By: Citlalli V.
Rating: I really liked it.
We all know the story of Dorothy. A tornado transports her from Kansas to OZ; she wants to go back home and continues on this long journey to find a way to get home. She goes home and decides she wants to come back, and everything is happily ever after, right? Dorothy Must Die is a complete and exciting twist from the original story. I really liked this book and the story doesn't stop here. It is spread out between 5 books, all of which are amazing. I highly recommend them to anyone. This book was an amazing mix between the original OZ and a new/ more modern OZ. It does have some parts which may not be suitable for extremely young children, so I recommend this book for anyone of 13 years of age or older.
I would recommend this to: People who know the original Wizard of OZ story (13+).
By: Susan Wiggs
Reviewed By: Citlalli V.
Rating: I really liked it.
Perfect life, big house, successful spouse, following your dreams...
We all have dreamed of this, but what happens when you get your perfect life...only to lose it?
This book will take you on a journey through the ups and downs of a perfect life. The first time I read this book I didn't like it, but then read it again and I really liked it. It has a slow start, but it picks up speed and really gets you in all the right places. I recommend this book to young adults.
I would recommend this to: Young adults.
By: Gail Carson Levine
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: It was amazing!
A beautiful book about true beauty. I'm a singer, and not terribly attractive, so I could really relate to the main character, Aza. To be honest I think it would make a better musical than a book, because there's a lot of written lyrics, but it's fun to make up melodies yourself. Aza is trapped in a society that values beauty and singing over more than anything else, but it's difficult to sing for anyone when you can't show your face in public. This all changes, however, when the future queen to be makes her a dangerous offer...
I would recommend this to: Musicians and those who enjoy fairy tales.
By: Tamara Ireland Stone
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: It was amazing!
Samantha struggles with OCD, making her social life a continual struggle. Until she meets Caroline. She's a bit odd, and no one really seems to know who Samantha is talking about, but she becomes her best friend. Caroline introduces her to the schools secret world of underground poets, and Samantha slowly finds healing, until things take a turn for the worse and she has to confront herself with a very important question: Is Caroline... Real? Every Last Word addresses both social and mental issues that many teens deal with on a daily basis both tactfully and beautifully.
I would recommend this to: Teens, especially those that like poetry.
By: Tahereh Mafi
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: I really liked it.
I really enjoyed this book series. It was the perfect mix of romance, rebellion, and adventure. Forget Hunger Games, this is the best YA dystopian book I've ever read. It's about Juliette, a 17 year old with the power to suck the life out of any living thing with her touch, who's forced to work for the government as a human weapon. The writing style itself isn't that great, and the excessive use of "strikeout" is irritating, but I feel the plot makes up for it. Any more would give it away, and a lot of people had very differing opinions regarding this book, so I encourage people to read it for themselves. Would keep it 14+ though, for being a bit... racy at parts.
I would recommend this to: Teens
By: Sarah Prineas
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: It was amazing!
This book has earned a special spot on my shelf as an all time favorite. I received it as an ARC, and I wouldn't change a single thing about it. I've read it 6+ times, and it has never gotten old yet. A beautiful mash-up retelling of many beloved fairy tales, Ash and Bramble gives a whole new aspect to happily ever after, begging the question: What if I don't WANT my prince charming? Where do all the elaborate ball gowns really come from? Is a fairy tale, in all reality.... Actually a trap? 10/10, would read for a seventh time. It's wonderfully written; heart-wrenching and inspiring at the same time. Very detailed and riveting; I stayed up til 3 am to read it all in one night.
I would recommend this to: EVERYONE! :D
By: Eric Laster
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: I didn't like it.
I would have liked it a lot, if every other chapter wasn't about the main character trying to get laid, especially since the other main focus of the book is his brother's murder. The two don't exactly go hand in hand.
I enjoyed the author's description of the afterlife, and the plot was really good, and the writing was well done. I enjoyed the fact that the chapters were short and easy to digest. Unfortunately, the random references to sex were unnecessary and ruined the book for me. If you're alright with that, then by all means read it; it is really good otherwise.
I would recommend this to: 14-15+
By: Danielle Page
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: It was alright...
It was pretty good. However, from a technical standpoint, the character development was a bit bare, and the romance/plot was quite unoriginal. Girl must go out of comfort zone to retrieve her "one true love", kisses the guy helping with the rescue, is confused about her feelings; seems to be an extremely typical way to try and tie in romance with adventure, and it feels, frankly, amateur. Despite this, the rest of the plot was fairly good, I enjoyed this retelling of "Snow Queen".
I would recommend this to: Those who enjoy retellings of classic stories or "romance."
By: Ed Sheeran
Reviewed By: Amanda S.
Rating: I really liked it.
He wrote all the songs (although there were a few collaborations), and the lyrics are largely focused on love, a common theme in his work (along with drinking and heartbreak). However, songs such as "Firefly" showed a bit of a different side to his music: it was more bubbly and optimistic feeling, making it by far my favorite on this album. Overall I'd give it a 6-7/10, for the lack of more variation (i.e., majority of his songs tend to be extremely similar overall, from a strictly musical POV).
I would recommend this to: Those who enjoy Ed Sheeran/acoustic music
By: Meg Cabot
Reviewed By: Shauna H.
Rating: It was alright...
Avalon High is a modern retelling of the legend of King Arthur, starring Elaine Harrison (or Ellie for short). She is the daughter of two professors who research all things medieval and is forced to move to Annapolis due to her parents' sabbatical. She attends Avalon High, becomes friends with the golden boy of the school (A. William Wagner) after only a few days, and life seems to be going her way. At least, until strange coincidences start occurring.
After reading the summary for this book, I was excited. I mean, a modern retelling of the legend of King Arthur? Count me in! Besides, I had enjoyed the movie a long time ago, and the book is always better. Right? Sadly, not in this case. Nothing really happened until a little over halfway through the book, and there was a lot of unnecessary filler. The book just scratched the surface with the legend of King Arthur, and I was a little disappointed that more of the characters weren't included.
The story had a lot of potential, but for me it just fell flat. Perhaps I was expecting too much fantasy from this book? But it is supposed to be a retelling, so...
This is the first book by Meg Cabot I've read, and it was enjoyable, just not exceptional. I don't think I'll be reading another one of her books any time soon.
Side note: the verses from "The Lady of Shalott" at the beginning of each chapter brought back memories of Anne of Green Gables and made me want to watch the movies again. To be honest, that poem was probably one of my favorite parts of the book.
I would recommend this to: Teen fans of "Chick Lit."
