5 Questions with...Axie Oh!

by Enola

 

Photo credit https://www.axieoh.com

Recently, I had the great pleasure of interviewing an amazing New York Times bestselling author, Axie Oh, for the Winter Park Library’s Teen Book Guild “5 Questions With…” series. She is an author of many great books, such as XOXO, ASAP, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, and The Floating World duology starter. Axie Oh writes many YA novels inspired by Korean culture, history, K-dramas, K-pop, and folklore. 

  

Q: What inspired you to write your books like ASAP, or The Girl Who Fell Beneath, and are any of the characters based off of people you know?

 

For ASAP, I was inspired by my love of K-pop, visits to Seoul (the vibrant capital city of South Korea), and second chance romances, like the classic Persuasion by Jane Austen. For The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, I was inspired by my love of fairytale retellings and Korean myths and legends, as well as Hayao Miyazaki’s film Spirited Away. 

 

The characters aren’t based off anyone in particular except for, perhaps, Mina’s older brother, Joon, from The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, who was somewhat based off my older brother.

 

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a writer and what’s something readers might not know about one of your books?

 

I wanted to be a writer after high school, when I entered college. I took classes in fiction writing and poetry and started to share my work with others (friends, peers, teachers, and online). Readers might not know that it took eight years for The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea to become published. I first wrote it in 2014, and it wasn’t published until 2022. Around twenty or so editors passed on publishing the book before it found its home with the perfect editor and publisher.  

 

Q: What was the most challenging scene or book to write, and why?

 

The most challenging scene in The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was a scene that occurs in chapter three, when Mina meets Shin, Namgi, and Kirin for the first time. I had to juggle introducing three new characters, one of whom is masked for most of the chapter, while also making the scene exciting and move the plot forward. The hardest book for me to write so far was The Floating World because I sold it on what was basically a concept (a retelling of Korean celestial maidens set in a steampunk fantasy world) and then had to discover the characters, world, and plot from there! 

 

Q: Which character out of all your books are you most attached to and do you have a favorite line or chapter in one of your books?

 

I’m definitely attached to Mina from The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, and one line that I like that I don’t see quoted as often is from the first chapter: Behind them, the dragon rises silently out of the water, its long neck extending into the sky. Seawater falls off its dark blue scales, dropping like coins onto the boat’s deck.

 

The line that I write when I sign books is: Don’t chase fate. Let fate chase you. 

 

Q: Do you have any advice or words for aspiring authors?

 

Your first reader is always yourself: write the story that calls to you, with characters that you can’t stop thinking about. Please your inner reader before you please anyone else. On a practical level, start with a messy first draft, and try to reach “the end” even if you have to skip whole scenes. After you’ve reached the end and know the story beats and characters arcs, you can go back and revise the story to make it really shine. 

 

 

Thank you so much to Ms. Oh for taking the time to do the Winter Park Library’s Teen Book Guild “5 Questions With…” interview, I greatly appreciate it. 

 

I hope you enjoyed getting to read her answers as much as I did, and learning more about her amazing books and her author career. You can check out ASAP, XOXO, Rebel Seoul, The Floating World, and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea at the Winter Park Library!

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

Reviewed by Emmanuela
Grade 8

In a world of magic, Tasmin Lark was born without it and hunts ancient relics with magical sources. After her foster father's disappearance seven years ago, her main goal is to protect her brother, Cabell, and break his life-threatening curse. She learns of a ring that can break any spell and seeks it to save her brother. On her quest, she is forced to work with her rival, Emrys Dye, who also wants the ring. Along the way, they meet a sorcerer, Neve, and together venture to Avalon, a world steeped in death and decay. Tasmin faces dark secrets and must reveal her own to protect those she loves and escape the shadows of death.

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken is the perfect blend of mystery, a hint of horror, and a touch of romance that kept me turning the pages. I loved the intriguing language and plot; the twists and characters kept me engaged. The story starts fast, and I had to push through, but I'm glad I did because from the middle to the end—especially the end—it got so good I bookmarked pages to revisit because I loved them.

This book put me through a whirlpool of emotions--made me scream and cry--which made this book absolutely superb. I CAN NOT WAIT to read the second book. Tasmin is brave, strong, and stubborn. Her love for her brother just seemed more unconditional every step of the way. Emrys is like a two-sided, charming character that I honestly didn't like at the beginning, but he DEFINITELY grew on me (I might have gotten a little attached). 

*SPOILER ALERT* These two characters make the enemies to lovers theme so electrifying and thrilling. Cabell really disappointed me, and I really didn't expect things to happen the way they did. And the twists were NOT obvious, The amount of cliffhangers that made me keep reading was INSANE. 

In the past, I've had a hard time finding books that actually keep me engaged, and that actually match my tempo, and this book is literally just the best book. 

PS- PLEASE DONT STOP READING…IT GETS BETTER- TRUST.

​

*MAIN COMPONENTS OF THE BOOK*

​Fantasy

Adventure

Horror (if you haven't read yet...brace yourself. Words go a long way.)

Romance (made me giggle and squeal, SO CUTE) 

Betrayal (made me cry and cover my mouth for a whole segment..I WAS SPEECHLESS) 

Twists and turns (probably the main reason I kept reading)

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 favorite fantasy-themed books that I recommend to those wanting to get into the genre

by Abby A.

I haven't been in a reading mood recently, but I always find myself listening to audiobooks when in doubt. Here's ten romantasy books I recommend to those wanting to get into the genre.

1. The Wicked King - I rate this 10/10 because it introduced me to the Cruel Prince series and the author, Holly Black, who is now one of my favorites.

2. Fortune's Kiss - 10/10 once again because it gives us different points of view with the two main characters, plus the minute I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down.

3. Sing Me to Sleep - 9/10. It not only has a black and brown cast of characters, but also pictures the hardship of doing anything to protect family, even if that means keeping the biggest secret to do so.

4. A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic - 9.7/10. As a human in a fae world, just because you don't have what they have doesn't mean you can't do what they can do.

5. A Dawn of Onyx - 9.5/10. I feel like this book reminds me of when darkness meets the light, plus yet another protagonist does.

6. One Dark Window - 8.6/10. What could a few Providence Cards do, especially when you have someone, a monster trapped inside your mind?

7.Faeries Never Lie:Tales to Revel In - 8/10. I really like this book because it has not just different stories, but different authors.

8. The Otherwhere Post - 7/10. Trying to hide and eventually uncovering her father's past might just bring trouble, but what if he was innocent all this time?

9. Little Thieves - 7.5/10. How does one live a double life as a jewel thief and the stolen identity of the princess while trying their best to break a curse?

10.Our Vengeful Souls - 8/10. A brave female protagonist exiled from her home soon gets a place in the army for her abilities to wield a weapon, yet she hides a secret.

Page to Post: The Finisher by David Baldacci

In the Page to Post series, the Teen Book Guild spotlights the books that caught our attention after scoping out an entire shelf of titles in the Winter Park Library. From that first spark of interest to how we really felt after reading, you’ll get our honest take—no sugarcoating, just real talk from teens who love books (or sometimes don’t!).
If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: The Finisher
Author: David Baldacci
Chosen by: Andres J.

After Life by Gayle Forman

Reviewed by Phoebe N. Grade 12

After Life by Gayle Forman entails the familial grieving process of a teenage girl named Amber Crane. With the anticipation a January 25th, 2025 release, the story follows Amber Crane coming back from the dead. She doesn’t remember how she died and can’t seem to comprehend the fact that she has been dead for seven years at first. Amber slowly starts to understand that her passing left a huge impact on all her loved ones: her family dynamic, friends’ betrayals, and the revealed secrets of the neighborhood. She now has to accept all the new changes that accumulated throughout the seven years of her being gone and mend the broken relationships along the way.

Despite the fictional element of the main character coming back to life from the dead, this book was very light-hearted and contained many deep reflective thoughts on realistic family expectations, image, empathy, love, and status, allowing readers to relate to the characters. The pace of the book is fairly slow, but secrets begin to reveal a little at a time through the perspective of different characters. Each chapter ends with a slight cliff hanger, which doesn’t resolve until a couple chapters later on.

One unique aspect of this novel I particularly enjoyed was the structure of how the story unfolds. Aside from being narrated by multiple characters, the chapters jump from the present time to seven years before the death of Amber Crane, four years after her death, and even 29 years before when Amber’s parents first met. This adds more depth to the level of intimacy and background context to each member of her family. On top of that, the mini plot twist at the end left a pleasant surprise that perfectly tied the emotional component of the overall story together.

Going into this book, I expected it to be more of a mystery or thriller novel. However, it seemed more like a YA coming-of-age fiction that trailed the self discovery of a teenage girl and the community around her. Gayle Forman also did an excellent job in delivering the message of life's significance and how we should treasure our lives as well as the people in them. Full of regrets, sad, joyful, and soulful moments, After Life takes readers on an emotional and touching roller coaster. I would highly recommend this book to those who prefer light, wholehearted, or philosophical cordial reads. Forman’s writing style is definitely easy to grasp, and I am excited to check out her other YA works such as If I Stay and We Are Inevitable, which are both currently available at the Winter Park Library.

*Coming soon to WPL! This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.

Page to Post: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

In the Page to Post series, the Teen Book Guild spotlights the books that caught our attention after scoping out an entire shelf of titles in the Winter Park Library. From that first spark of interest to how we really felt after reading, you’ll get our honest take—no sugarcoating, just real talk from teens who love books (or sometimes don’t!).

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: Flame in the Mist
Author: Renée Ahdieh
Chosen by: Anna M.

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

reviewed by Kate D.
Grade 11

Imagine, at age eight, being kidnapped because you saved a toddler. Imagine your father giving you up because he couldn’t bring himself to fight or bargain to keep you. Imagine poisoning hundreds of people without knowing. Imagine being the last person alive who can control water. Imagine spending years running from town to town, refusing to find home. Imagine being a power tool in some sick game. Imagine.

When fourteen-year-old Mererid realized it was she who killed a whole kingdom, she tried to run. The prince, who forced her to kill hundreds, shackled and branded her. In the first chapter, the reader meets Mer after she had already escaped the castle. She’s lived in a small, quiet village for a whole three months when she’s visited by an old workmate who tells her about a quest he’s brought upon himself.

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones was written extraordinarily well. The characters have depth, secrets, regrets, and passion. The book is filled with twists and deep lore. A long journey as well as rich subplots drive the story. The dialogue pushes a sense of show-not-tell, as evident in lines such as, “Because you are the last—and because I have a need.” The only questionable part of the story is confusion of who the love interest may be or confusion of which side a character is on, though an argument could be made that this confusion enhances the depth and hooks of the book.

The Drowned Woods is a perfect book for fantasy and violence lovers. It’s a clean book, but still includes a romance subplot. As previously stated, the writing is excellent and is very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend reading The Drowned Woods to any book girlies who are looking for a clean fantasy. 

A 2024-25 Florida Teens Read nominee

Here Lies a Vengeful B**** by Codie Crowley

by Phoebe N.
Grade 12

Here Lies a Vengeful B**** is a mystery YA novel by Codie Crowley. To be published on August 24, 2024, the book follows Annie Lane who died and came back to life. The only problem? She doesn’t remember who killed her. Between her deadbeat ex and his friends or her always-stoned mom, her reckless and over-confident behavior made her an extremely easy victim of murder. Annie Lane tracks down all the possible suspects and tries to recollect the missing memories of what happened the night she was killed.

This book was filled with many plot twists involving countless other murder cases intertwined with Annie Lane’s that readers might never see coming. The story-telling captivates the reader and forces them to be wary of every side character, giving a sense of distrust and suspicion. However, the beginning of the novel was very slow-paced. Originally, I didn’t enjoy the supernatural aspect of the plot as it kind of conflicted with the realistic components of the story. But the writing was phenomenal and extremely enticing. Each scene is elaborate and detailed, allowing the readers to immerse themselves into the storyline and imagery. Additionally, everything accelerates towards the end, so despite the slow build-up in the beginning chapters, I found myself zooming through the ending chapters non-stop. 

Codie Crowley does a fairly good job at misleading the readers and convincing them to rule out a suspect amongst the characters which I found had further developed the suspense of the story. The romantic element in this novel is somewhat prominent and pleasant. To some extent, the relationship between the main character and the main love interest is realistic and relatable in the sense that teens experience flings and romantic attractions every now and then. Told in Annie Lane’s perspective, the readers get to experience her character development and self-realization as she reflects upon her troubled upbringing and bold personality. 

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a mix of realism and supernatural/fantasy. Although it may seem uneventful at first, the story picks up in the second half and everything comes together. I would also recommend this book to those who enjoy murder mysteries. As a reader, the intricate story-telling of this book made me feel like a detective. I am definitely excited for when this book gets released and wishing the best of luck to Codie Crowley for her debut novel! I think many teens would like this novel when it hits the shelves of the Winter Park Library. 

Librarian note: Thank you to Hyperion for sending the Teen Book Guild an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

5 Questions With...Vanessa Montalban!

By Grace H. 

Hello and welcome to the first post in part of the TBG’s new series: “5 Questions With…”!

Today we will be starting off with the local author of A Tall Dark Trouble, Vanessa Montalban! She was born in Miami, graduated from UCF, and now writes young adult fiction. A Tall Dark Trouble was her first novel! Without further ado, here are the 5 questions!

                               

First off, can you tell us a little bit about what inspired your debut novel?

Oh yes, so many things went into the inspiration for A Tall Dark Trouble. First, I'm a big fan of witchy stories. I rewatch Practical Magic every year, and the sisterly storyline always reminded me of my own sister! I was also really charmed by the idea of a love curse because it's such a common motif in Cuban/Caribbean lore. You'll usually have a family member who'll swear they were cursed by an old bruja (witch) on the island. The idea was already ruminating, but it wasn't until 2016 that it all came together. I was visiting my dad in Miami when the news that Fidel Castro had died was announced. Castro was the dictator of Cuba for over 50 years. All the streets of Miami were suddenly filled with people cheering and crying, waving the Cuban flag and hoping the news would spell freedom for their island. I felt the relief, the joy of my family, but at the same time, I felt disconnected from it. I didn't live through what they had lived through, or suffer what they had suffered. That's when I had the idea of writing a multi-generational story. I loved the idea of stepping back in time, into another generation's shoes and exploring how their experiences influenced them as people. It was also important for me to show how being a product of that inherited trauma, being part of the diaspora, affects you even when you're born and raised in the United States. Tossing in murder, mystery, and magic made it all the more fun to write.

If you had to describe your book in one sentence, what would you say?

An adventurous witchy story about three teens navigating love, magic, and murder!

What were some of your favorite scenes to write?

One of my favorite scenes to write was the final scene when it all came together! I know, sorry. That's really vague. It was just so cool to see how every character stepped into their power and conquered fears. And there's a high-speed chase! I also really loved writing the romantic moments between the characters. Each duo was so different from the other. There's also a scene when Delfi and Lela are making up after a sisterly fight, and it's a quiet scene in their house, but it felt so real while I was writing it.

What was your experience writing from the perspective of three different characters and two timelines? Was it difficult to keep track of?

Keeping track of the two timelines and figuring out where exactly they should intersect was incredibly difficult. Took a lot of work between me, beta readers, my agent, and my editor. We wanted it to flow together as organically as possible, so if I introduced a certain symbol or theme in the past chapters, I wanted it to carry through somehow in the current-day chapters. I also had to plan reveals to align with both timelines. On the other hand, writing from each perspective wasn't as hard for me. It felt natural to fall into that character whenever I had to switch to another point of view. I think it's because with every character I write, even the villains, they all carry some aspect of me, and it's always fun to think from another perspective, taking into account everything that's shaped that specific character.

And finally, what comes next on your writing journey?

Yes! Thanks so much for asking. I'm really excited about my next project. It releases in February 2025 through Zando Young Readers. It's another standalone YA paranormal/contemporary fantasy. A reimagining of La Cegua, a mythical creature from Nicaraguan folklore who lures men into the woods towards their doom. I'm hard at work with revisions now! After that, who knows? Hopefully, there'll be more to come.

Thank you so much for speaking with us, Vanessa! 

If you'd like to read her action-packed fantasy, A Tall Dark Trouble, check it out from Winter Park Library today! 

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Reviewed by Grace H.

Grade 11

Belladonna is a gripping, spooky fantasy containing a thrilling murder mystery. The highly Gothic setting of the novel draws the reader into a realm of ballroom dancing, manors, and destruction. The descriptive writing and creepy atmosphere advance the plot with many twists and turns.

When Signa Farrow, a 19-year-old orphan, is once again relocated to a different guardian after her aunt dies, she finds herself thrown into the wealthy yet odd Hawthorne household. From a young age, Signa has possessed extraordinary powers. Not only is Signa able to see and interact with spirits, but she is also immortal. No matter how close she comes to Death, Signa consistently evades it. So when the ghost of the late matriarch, Lillian Hawthorne, finds Signa living with the Hawthornes and declares that she was poisoned, it is up to Signa to catch the murderer—quickly, for Lillian's daughter, Blythe Hawthorne, is also being poisoned. Signa becomes engrossed in a whirlwind of clues, discovering a secret side to her new guardians. Signa also enlists the help of Death himself, who always seems to be near her, and he teaches her the ropes of immortality. Death and Signa form a capable and captivating bond, working together to unearth the secrets of the Hawthornes and why someone close to them killed Lillian and is trying to claim Blythe's life as well.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace was a fascinating novel that drew me in with its gothic atmosphere and haunting mysteries. The novel had lots of tension as Signa and the other characters raced against the clock to catch the murderer and save Blythe's life. This mystery had the classic who-dunnit element, with many of the characters having suspicious qualities. This made me invested in the plot and excited for the resolution. One of the best-written parts of the book was Signa's character development. At the beginning of the novel, I found her to be whiny and naïve, but as the story progressed, she became much more mature and responsible, accepting herself for who she truly was. Death himself was also an intriguing character, and it was interesting to see how his and Signa's romance played out over the course of the book.

 Overall, I enjoyed the eerie fantasy setting of "Belladonna", as well as the mystery component, and I would definitely recommend this novel, especially to anyone who enjoys mysterious atmospheres. The themes of friendship and self-discovery also made it a captivating novel. This book is part of a series, and the second book, Foxglove comes out on August 2023. The cliffhanger ending of Belladonna will surely convince readers to pick up the second addition to the series, but it can also be read as a standalone, as the first mystery is completely resolved at the end. 

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Reviewed by Nané K.
Grade 10

“If fate is a bunch of strings, then I’ll carry scissors.” 

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, is an Asian retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Wild Swans, in which a princess has to save her 11 brothers from a curse cast by an evil queen. I was drawn to this book because of its beautiful cover, and it did not disappoint. The author manages to weave together elements of Asian mythology and the original fairytale into a stunning magical world that I was totally immersed in as I read.

Six Crimson Cranes’s basic premise does not stray too far from its inspiration. It follows the main character, Shiori--a princess with 6 brothers in the nation of Kiata, where magic is forbidden--and her secret, magic paper bird, Kiki, after Shiori runs away from meeting her betrothed. As she runs away, she falls into a lake near her palace, but a sea dragon saves her from drowning, and ends up teaching her how to control her magic.

However, Shiori’s life only becomes more complicated when she discovers her stepmother, Raikama, is also a magic user, and ends up being a witness when her stepmother places a curse upon her 6 brothers and Shiori herself. The curse turns her brothers into cranes at night, and forbids Shiori from speaking, or else one brother will die each time she speaks. They are also unable to be recognized as the princes and princess of Kiata. The bulk of the book is spent with Shiori as she finds herself transported into another part of Kiata and works endlessly to find her brothers and break the curse.

The characters are a strong point of this book, all being quite endearing. From the snappy sea dragon Seryu, to the other love interest, Takkan, all of the main cast were memorable and felt well thought out. Even the villain, Raikama, was complex and had a rich backstory, which was intriguing to see unfold. The characters’ personalities and attitudes helped to reveal the intricacies of the world building of Six Crimson Cranes, which was another aspect I enjoyed. 

What I enjoyed the most about this book, however, was its plot; the author did a great job in crafting this captivating read. The turn of events never felt contrived or packed, the story moved at a good pace and kept the reader interested. Specifically, I liked the climb back to the top that the main character went through. It truly felt like I was there working with Shiori to break the curse—I could feel her struggles through the page.

I would absolutely recommend Six Crimson Cranes because I think its themes of fate and family are something that everyone can appreciate. Fans of fantasy especially will love this book and its deep magical world.

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

Reviewed by Yusmibel L.
Grade 10

Hell Followed With Us is an unapologetically queer story that tells a tale of lost religion, betrayal, and finding family. Andrew Joseph White weaves a gorgeous dystopian tale of humanity's last stand in a lawless land of corruption and sickness. It is there he twists biology to redefine what it means to be a monster.

The story opens in the midst of an action-packed escape from the religious stronghold of New Nazareth. Benji, a young trans teen is fighting everything he’s ever known. With his escape he’s going to have to find a new home in the desolate ruins of the world left by the flood. Taken in by the ALC, a Queer Youth Group, he slowly learns to make a new life. However, New Nazareth won’t let him go so easily and secrets and betrayal threaten to destroy everything he’s built.

Hell Followed With Us creates vivid imagery in its descriptions, though there are moments where the images and metaphors were lost on me. Throughout the book several times there is a depicted field with trees and scattered corpses from the Flood. It was difficult to tell if these were dream sequences or memories due to the fact that there seemed to be a metaphor involved that popped up at random points, for example after a fight scene but also after Benji goes to sleep he recalls the field. No other character seems to mention it, but it seems significant because Benji has a final revelation there towards the end. However, every other aspect of the book is incredibly detailed, from the monsters and church to the easily distinguishable characters.

Consistently throughout the book there were no parts that stood out, because as a whole it was a delightful read. It delivers exactly what it promises. It's definitely worth a read. Andrew Joseph White promises a loudly queer novel with monsters, apocalypse, and religious trauma and he delivers just that.

Kaiju No. 8 vol. 1 by Naoya Matsumoto

Reviewed by Makenna J.
Grade: 9

Naoya Matsumoto’s Kaiju No. 8 is an exciting action manga that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat along with some pleasantly surprising comedy! The first volume grabbed my attention right away and I wanted to find the second volume immediately after I finished it. The characters are written very well and I immediately became attached to them. The reader is able to relate to them right off the bat and I really want to know more about them; I’m very interested in their backgrounds and motivation. Along with compelling characters, the story itself is intriguing as well. Someone could argue that the plot follows a very common formula, but I found it very unique and fascinating!

 Thirty-two-year-old Kafka Hibino wants to clean up kaiju, monsters that threaten the citizens’ lives in Japan, ever since he was little. But somehow, he ended up literally cleaning them up! The Defense Force kills them while he’s stuck cleaning up the dead kaiju on the streets. He gave up on his dream of being a part of the Defense Force alongside his childhood friend, Mina Ashiro, a long time ago because he could never pass the entrance exam. Then one day, Reno Ichikawa, a kid who wants to join the Defense Force, joins Kafka’s cleanup team and sparks his dream of killing kaiju alongside Mina again. But suddenly, while they’re working, a kaiju attacks them and puts them both in the hospital. While they’re recovering, Kafka transforms into a kaiju! On the run and with the help of Ichikawa, Kafka takes the entrance exam one last time to be a part of the Defense Force with Mina as his motivation.

 Some plot points in this manga are a little too . . . convenient. Kafka can switch between being a kaiju and a human, but the author never really explains why or how. Although, I don’t mind it too much because I know the author will explain it in later volumes. I really appreciate the refreshing plot of Kafka not being the best out of everyone taking the exam and only having one last chance to fulfill his dream before he’s too old. There was a surprising amount of comedy in this manga, mainly coming from Kafka and Ichikawa’s friendship, and I really enjoyed it. Volume one left on a cliffhanger which made me really want to continue reading! Naoya Matsumoto not only wrote, but also illustrated an amazing series with deep characters, an intriguing plot, and stunning artwork which I find to be very impressive!

I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who’s a fan of action and comedy. I loved volume one, and I’m sure many other people will as well! I’m looking forward to reading more of Naoya Mastumoto’s works!

Layoverland by Gabby Noone

Reviewed by Anna M.
Grade 9

Layoverland by Gabby Noone SHOULD HAVE been a great book. It had all the characters: the spunky and opinionated, not-like other girls, Converse-wearing main-character; the quirky best friend/roommate who doesn’t seem to know what personal space is; and the adorably stupid love interest that’s not “supposed” to happen but always does. Not only did the novel have all the characters…it also had an interesting plot as well. However, there is a reason why I wrote “SHOULD HAVE” at the beginning because even with all the story development…it was still just an incredibly “meh” book.

While most YA books begin with a teen’s life, this one began with death, the death of a seventeen-year-old girl named Beatrice Fox. After a huge argument with her younger sister, Bea dies in a car accident on December 12, 2019, 9:19 p.m., at the intersection of Huntingdon Pike and Susquehanna Road, Northwood, Pennsylvania. The big plot twist is even with her life being ended; her journey has really just begun. Bea doesn’t go to heaven, but she doesn’t go to hell either; instead, she goes to “the airport.” In this fictional world Noone created, good people go to heaven. Bad people go to hell. And in-between people go to the airport. The airport is where the in-between people watch their lives through a “memstractor” in order to find the reason they’re being kept out of heaven. Once they have a realization and a redemptive moment, they get to move on to heaven. Since Bea was such an unkind person on Earth, her punishment is to help 5,000 souls decipher through the “memstractor” why they’re being kept out of heaven. When she does this, she gets to move on herself. However, when she has to help Caleb Smith, her very own murderer, get to heaven, she decides to do whatever she can to make him suffer and keep him out of heaven. Though as she gets to know Caleb, she realizes he’s actually a really nice guy…and on top of that…begins to fall for him.

Sounds like a great book, right? Wrong. Very, very wrong. Layoverland was just boring, and I didn’t really find myself rooting or even sympathizing with ANY of the characters. All of them were really entitled and spoiled. Even though the plot was unique, reading this book just felt like reading any other teen drama/romance. Not to mention, Noone put many stereotypes in it, not trying to dismantle them in any way. I wouldn’t say it’s the worst book I’ve ever read, but I’d definitely say it’s exactly like ever other bad one I’ve read. It’s simply not special.

In conclusion, I would absolutely NOT recommend this book. I’m not trying to down the author or even the people who probably liked this story…that’s your own personal opinion. However, if you’re looking for a good book to read, keep looking! This is not the book for you!

The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 12

Is it really possible to forgive and forget? That is the question the characters face in Julie Kagawa’s latest novel, The Iron Raven, which takes a fantastical spin on Shakespeare's beloved A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Endearing and thought-provoking, it leaves readers craving more. 

Robin Goodfellow-or “Puck”, as he prefers to be called- has seen a lot. After living for centuries, he figures he pretty much has seen and done it all. Life is slower in recent times, as his best friends are busy ruling a kingdom and adventures are harder and harder to find. That is, until a mysterious creature arises and poses a grave threat to the Nevernever, which the Fey call home. Puck joins forces with the King and Queen of the Iron Court, a prickly cat, and long-lost sidhe to stop it--but more trouble looms as Puck is put against his greatest enemy: himself.

I loved this book. Laced with Puck’s signature inappropriateness, it balances gravity and levity beautifully. The novel is mostly description with dialogue dispersed throughout, and focuses on Puck’s internal battles and changes as he becomes his own worst enemy. The adventure serves more as a backdrop and tool to force Puck into the dark parts of himself, and he has to deal with long-held grudges he had thought were gone forever. As the journey becomes more and more dangerous, and the stakes are lifted, Puck has to decide what and who he wants to be once and for all. 

I would have loved to see more characterization of the others, such as Ash or Nyx. Kagawa just glossed over their pasts before refocusing on Puck. There was also much telling instead of showing, so I was unable to get into the story as much as I would have liked to, but those are my only complaints. 

For anyone who enjoys creative retellings and witty comebacks, I would definitely recommend The Iron Raven. Whimsical and entertaining, it will keep readers on the edge of their seats. 

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

Reviewed by Amy P.
Grade 10

Erin A. Craig’s House of Salt and Sorrows is a captivating retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, but with a terrifying twist. It follows Annaleigh, daughter of the Duke of Salann, and her investigation into her family’s secrets and curses. Annaleigh’s sisters, once known as the Thaumus Twelve, are plagued with mysterious deaths until they can’t be passed off as accidents anymore. This novel also combines the classic components of a fairy tale with Craig’s lore of elemental gods and entities. Set in a manor by the sea, every chapter has a ghostly, aquatic atmosphere, leaving you wanting more.

Annaleigh had just lost her sister, Eulalie. She is expected to believe it was an accident, but who really plunges off a cliff to their death in the middle of the night in an “accident”? Eulalie was murdered, and Annaleigh is determined to prove it. While in her search, the world around her grows increasingly more twisted and a series of disturbing visions of her dead sisters torment her. Nobody around her notices, however, once her family finds a magical door that belongs to Pontus, the sea god the islanders worship. It leads to a different, wonderful ball every night and her sisters are almost intoxicated by it. But Annaleigh knows that there is something not quite right with this reality or the other.

The setting was lovely to read about; the author’s choice of words set the perfect ambiance for this book and almost made me feel like I was actually by the sea. The plot was a bit more confusing to read about, however. Although it’s normal for YA books to combine a story retelling with the author’s own mythology, I think it clashed with this one. I would rather have the author focus on only the deities and the sea setting, or only The Twelve Dancing Princesses tale, since they don’t pair very well together.

Other than that, I would definitely recommend this book. It was very exciting to read, and all throughout the novel there were new developments and plot twists. I haven’t read it, but A Court of Thorn and Roses seems similar to this as well.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 11

The Knife of Letting Go takes place on the planet New World, which became inhabited by human settlers twenty-three years before the start of the novel. Todd Hewitt lives in Prentisstown, where he was taught that the native creatures of New World, the Spackle, released a disease onto the colonizers. This germ, called Noise, causes every individual to hear everybody else’s thoughts in words, pictures, colors, and sounds. Additionally, according to those in Prentisstown, all the women were killed by the illness. However, as Todd is nearing the day he finally becomes a man, he discovers a break from the relentless sounds. Upon finding this, the men who have taken care of Todd since his mother’s death tell Todd he must escape Prentisstown. When Todd realizes the source of the silence is a girl named Viola, he embarks on a long journey with many unanswered questions. Along the way, he finds that Prentisstown has an evil, twisted history, and somehow he is supposed to play a role in the town’s villainous plot.

I thought it was a fairly good book. The plot was definitely interesting, despite being predictable at some parts. The protagonists, Todd and Viola, were well-developed characters, and their dilemmas allow the reader to root for and empathize with them. As for the author’s style of writing, I think he overused certain writing techniques. While I’m sure he did so to emphasize moments of conflict, I personally felt his use of run-on sentences was excessive, distracting me from what was occurring in the story.

Regardless, I still enjoyed the book. Patrick Ness portrays a lesson of remembering who you are even when you’re surrounded by chaos, and I think that’s an important message. While there were aspects of the writing that I didn’t like, it’s certainly still good enough that I want to proceed with the series. For these reasons, I would recommend The Knife of Letting Go to anyone who enjoys dystopian novels with plenty of action and suspense. 

WIN A FREE COPY OF CHAOS WALKING: THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO! 
Stop by the Winter Park Library in the Teen Area, and fill out an entry form for your chance to win. CHAOS WALKING, starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, is currently in theaters!

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Reviewed by Isabella T.
Grade 9

You always have the power of choice, even when those choices seem limited.

Never forget that.

What would you choose? Team up with a Prince of Hell to avenge your sister, or leave the stones unturned and spent the rest of your days wondering what happened? This clever and brave witch doesn’t have the luxury of asking the difficult questions that could put her family at risk. But when she meets Wrath, a magnetic Prince of Hell who seems to have all the answers; she might just have a way to solve her sister’s murder and save the witches from the perpetrator.

Kerri Maniscalco’s Kingdom of the Wicked follows witch Emilia DiCarlo and her family. The Dicarlo family comes from a long line of witches. Her nonna, mother, and twin sister Vittoria are all witches. Emilia and Vittoria grew up hearing stories about The Wicked from their nonna, always warning them that they should stay as far away from them as possible. Vittoria was the opposite of Emilia, always on a mission and chasing adventures. Emilia loved to read and cook. When Vittoria didn’t show up for dinner one night at her family’s restaurant, Emilia worries that something might have happened to her. Emilia vowed that she wouldn’t rest when her body is found, until she apprehended her beloved sister’s killer. Emilia didn’t know that a series of murders have been occurring in Sicily, and all happened to be witches. Wrath is tasked with finding the killer, and when Emilia realizes they have the same goals, a partnership between them might get them both what they wanted. But is Wrath really on her side?

One of my favorite things about this book is that Maniscalco managed to include essential Italian cultural factors. Whenever we read a book that is settled in a place where we are unfamiliar with its culture, I think the author must provide the reader with background information. Simple things like going to the market, or specific words in Italian, and the recipes she cooked, and the dynamic with her family at their restaurant gave me a better understanding of the main character’s life. It is also one reason many people read and learn about different cultures, and it is significant that even though fantasy or fiction books, we can still learn about things like that. Another point of interest in this book is character growth. I am a firm believer that a great book has at least one dynamic character. That means that the character undergoes a change, specifically growth, or manages to conquer their main issue. Even though a character coming out of their comfort zone is a popular trope, it can significantly enhance the plot when executed well. As Emilia embarks on this adventure, she tries to be more like her departed sister and take risks. Risks are a big part of achieving her goal. Her power and the need for vengeance create the perfect equation for finally becoming the best version of herself. One that can help her avenge her sister.

Readers who enjoy supernatural creatures, enemies to lovers, or solving mysteries will enjoy this book. If you have read Maniscalco’s Stalking Jack the Ripper, Tracy Deonn's Legendborn, or Shea Ernshaw's The Wicked Deep, you will enjoy this novel.

Maniscalco plans to publish a sequel to this book, Kingdom of the Cursed, which will be published in October of this year. 

Displacement by Kiku Hughes

Reviewed by Taylor K.
Grade 12

When asked what the most powerful weapon is, most would probably say things like a machine gun, nuclear bomb, or maybe even something fictional, like the Death Star from Star Wars. However, author Kiku Hughes offers a different answer in her graphic novel Displacement, where she writes that it is in fact memories that are the most powerful weapons.

This concept is the basis of the story, in which young teenager Kiku is suddenly displaced back in time to the 1940s and forced to live through Japanese internment. She first experiences these displacements during her trip to San Francisco, where her mother hoped to show her more about her family. Kiku is startled by this phenomena, but believes it is only possible in San Francisco and that the displacements will stop when she goes back home to Seattle. However, just like history can’t be erased, the displacements didn’t stop even when Kiku changed locations. Since she is now aware of the internment camps, she will never lose this knowledge. As the displacements continue, Kiku finds it harder and harder to go back to her time. Despite being from the future, Kiku feels it doesn’t mean anything since she never knew much about the past. While forced to confront the dehumanization felt at the internment camps, Kiku encounters numerous people who help her understand the situation and more about her culture.

One of the greatest strengths of this graphic novel rests within the main character, Kiku. Teenage characters written by adult authors are either treated with sympathy and understanding or filled with stereotypes of what they perceive teenagers to be. With the addition of focusing on intense topics such as racism and intergenerational trauma, it was incredibly important that Kiku fell into the former and was someone who young readers could relate to. Kiku is written in a very natural manner, which therefore helps the audience navigate this strange time displacement storyline. Some readers may identify with Kiku more than others, mainly readers of marginalized groups who can personally relate to some of the feelings Kiku experiences. Nevertheless, she is someone who everyone can find a little of themselves within. Kiku isn’t someone who automatically knows what to do, and she doesn’t always feel like she made the right choice but that’s completely fine. She, like nearly everyone else, experiences doubts about themselves and frustrations at the world around them. However, Kiku is someone who the audience should aspire to be because she doesn’t let these things hold her back. She listens to those around her and teaches herself when she feels she doesn’t know all the information. Rather than just getting upset about the situation, Kiku shows readers how one person can always make a difference so long as they listen and keep standing up for what they believe in.

I would highly recommend this book. Not only is it a relatively short read with a great art style to captivate you throughout, the moral of the book is one that is incredibly important and will impact readers of all races, ethnicities, and ages. By focusing on generational trauma and depicting various instances of racism as well as social movements from different periods of time, Hughes shows how it’s important to not forget our history. The Japanese internment camps from eighty years ago were a dark stain on this country, but it’s definitely not the only stain. This country has brutalized Native Americans, Black people, and countless more. 

To continue on this thought, it's also important to note that this graphic novel is set in both the 1940s and present-day. Kiku and her mother are shown numerous times watching news reports of (now former) President Trump spewing racist rhetoric. The racism and prejudice depicted during Kiku’s time in the forties is the same racism and prejudice spoken by one of our presidents. While it may not seem like anything has changed, by not forgetting what these different marginalized groups have been through, we can start making reparations and work towards a future that doesn’t hide from the dark truths but instead confronts them. We sadly can’t physically go back in time like Kiku can, but we can keep sharing the memories of those affected in the past, not forgetting the horrors they experienced and making sure it never happens again.