Epic Reading Challenge: August

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, when some of our TBG members choose a book that fits the prompt of the month! These prompts provided by Epic Reads hope to inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate in the prompt each month.

The prompt for August was… a diverse/ gender-swapped retelling!

Grace: 

My selection for August was One for All by Lillie Lainoff, which is a gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers.

One for All by Lillie Lainoff tells the story of Tania de Batz, a young woman that suffers from medical challenges that cause her to experience bouts of dizziness. Despite these health problems, Tania is determined to follow in the footsteps of her father and become a fencer. When her father suddenly (and suspiciously) dies, she is sent to what appears to be a finishing school, but is actually a training center for female Musketeers. The reader follows Tania on her journey through schooling, meeting a charming target in one of her missions, and trying to discover what really happened to her father.

I’m not too familiar with the original story of the Musketeers, but I certainly enjoyed this gender-bent retelling! One of my favorite aspects was the found family that Tania has through her “sisters” at the training center. Even if you are not well versed in the original tale, this is a good novel to pick up!

Marley:

I chose A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney. 

When Brionne Mathew’s is shot and killed by a police officer due to her powers, fear consumes Alice causing two nightmare creatures to capture her, forcing her to face the cold reality of the real world while navigating through the confusion that is Wonderland. 

Alice is the embodiment of black girl magic. L.L McKinney built such a diverse and lively cast of characters. It was an enjoyable read that had nods to the whimsical twist and turns of the classic Alice in Wonderland with light political commentary of the struggles of a Black girl that doesn’t  feel like she fits in her community filled with racial injustice.

Overall this was a wonderful read to finish off summer. A Blade So Black is a creatively reimagined story of a true classic that really brought me in, making me wish to read it again and again for how it envisions this modern day fantasy. I can’t wait to follow Alice’s journey in the sequel.

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

5 Questions With... Abiola Bello!

By Grace H.

Abiola Bello is a London-raised, Nigerian author. A writer from a young age, Abiola grew up creating fantasy stories about strong, black female protagonists (now the Emily Knight middle grade series), knowing that she wanted this to become her career. 

Abiola recently published two holiday YA romance novels, Love in Winter Wonderland and Only for the Holidays (available in the U.S. this October!), and the following 5 questions will be in regard to these novels.

One of my favorite parts about both of your holiday novels is the setting, both within the bookstore in your first novel, and then Saiyan Hedge Farm in your second. They both take place during the holiday season, and the reader can feel that magic within every page. Were you inspired by any real-life places when crafting the setting and holiday vibes of your novel?

There's an independent bookshop on Stoke Newington High St which inspired Wonderland. It's not black owned but I envisioned Wonderland in that place. There's a lot of London, especially in Love in Winter Wonderland and its places that I've grown up around, that mean something to me. 

With Only for the Holidays, Mike's party is based on a real venue in Peckham, South London but Saiyan Hedge Farm itself was inspired by Google image search :) Also I was watching a lot of Bridgerton and wanted to create my own version with the Winter ball.

Is there a character in either novel that you felt especially drawn to while writing? Maybe one that you could relate to personally?

Tia is me! Just her moany side lol. All the stuff she hates, I hate too like horses, the countryside, poor communicators in guys! Boogs and Annika are also me - love to dance, straight talking, funny, can get along with everyone.

The most special character for me was probably Ariel as I had lost my dad while writing about her losing her dad so there were a lot of my emotions in her.

If you had to describe each of your holiday novels in one sentence, what would they be?

Ooh that's quite tricky. Okay, I will give it a shot.

Love in Winter Wonderland: “Two teenagers fall for each other as they try to save a Black-owned bookshop from closing down on Christmas Eve.”

Only for the Holidays: “A country boy and a city girl fake date but end up realising that their perfect partner is each other.”

You mention in the biography on your website that you're super passionate about writing diverse books that are inclusive for all people. Can you expand on what it means to you to write about black main characters in your novels?

It's definitely gotten better, but in the UK there are just not enough books with Black people as the main characters that aren't trauma-based. There's pretty much none in UK YA romance books, and it's important for me to show Black people in different lights and not always related to violence or slavery.

And finally, what comes next on your writing journey?

I just released The Love Dare on July 4th which is my third YA. I've finished my first adult book and I have a younger fiction series and a middle-grade out next year. I have an idea for YA but need to flesh it out first!

Thank you so much for speaking with us, Abiola!

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole

Reviewed by Kate D.
Grade 11

Have you ever felt as if you had no choice? Have you ever been called a monster by your peers? Have you ever painted yourself red with poison and blood? Have you ever felt like a little rabbit? Have you ever lost a friend because the two of you were too different? Have you ever been caught by that one male teacher after school when everyone else has gone? Have you ever met a wolf wearing human flesh? Alicia has.

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole is exactly what it sounds like if you are familiar with Greek mythology. Medusa was raped by Poseidon in Athena’s temple, and—despite her pleading and cries that she was raped—Athena found Medusa guilty. Medusa, the victim, was punished and turned into a monster. Alicia faced similar peril. Teachers, coworkers, and peers were all fine with painting her as promiscuous and a monster as they took off her clothes. After finding out, her best friend joined those who criticized her for being abused. She never told her family for fear of rejection. In addition, she preferred women over men, but did the men care who she liked? Of course not. As her life twists and turns, she writes letters to Medusa, Poseidon, and even her own brother. Alicia was alone, hidden in her cave and “dares the world to follow.”

This book is written using a verse novel format. Each “poem” takes up anywhere from a third of a page to two full pages. There is no rhyme scheme or complicated wording. Within Dear Medusa, there are characters from many different cliques and backgrounds. Some of the characters are described as “bottle of sunshine I sip from in the gloom of night” and “a new penny” while other characters are described as wolves and rabbits.

Dear Medusa is a good read for any teenage girl, no matter the race, class, or “purity.” Just be warned, there are a great many sensitive topics within such as rape, pedophilia, descriptions of lost flesh and drugs. The main plot seems to be Alicia mentally running from the colonel, yet very few chapters are focused on the colonel, weakening the focus of the book. The subplots have a tendency to overwhelm the main plot but compel the reader with their attraction. Definitely worth a read for any teen girls who need to feel that they aren’t alone in their rage against the world.

  

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Favorite Books from Ten Series

By Grace H.
Grade 12

Welcome back to another Top Ten Tuesday, brought to you by the Teen Book Guild at the Winter Park Library! Every week, book bloggers from around the world participate in Top Ten Tuesday, in which readers compile a top-ten list in response to a prompt.

This week’s theme is… Ten Favorite Books from Ten Series (in no particular order)

Epic Reading Challenge: July

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month some of the TBG members choose a book that fits a specific prompt. Provided by Epic Reads, these prompts inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

The prompt for July was… a book known for making people cry.

Most readers pick up a novel because reading brings them happiness, or maybe the reader wishes to escape reality by diving into the world of a character. But sometimes, books can bring upon an entirely different emotion: sadness. Whether you pick up a book knowing it will make you cry, or whether it catches you by surprise, there are hundreds of tear-jerker novels out there. Here are a few YA examples that members of the guild have read this month:

Grace: They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera

In an alternate universe, where people who are about to die are sent a message that same day, Mateo and Rufus receive messages just after midnight. Told in multi-POV, this queer, coming-of age novel follows both of these teens on their last day to live and the adventures that they have together.

I really enjoyed this book, despite it having mixed reviews. I especially appreciated the multiple POV format of the novel, because it kept the novel from dragging on, since the events only took place over one day. And even though the events of the ending are known from the first page, the specific circumstances remain unknown, contributing to the tearshed at the conclusion of the story. This is a novel that will certainly make you cry.

Holly: The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris

The Cost of Knowing follows the point of view of Alex Rufus, the future-seeing, older brother of Isaiah Rufus. Upon seeing the vision of Isaiah’s grave, Alex tries to give Isaiah the best days of his life before his passing. This book definitely qualifies as a tearjerker. The suspense leading up the end involves many twists and turns. I would recommend reading this book with a box of tissues. Overall, I really liked this book. The concept is very interesting and unlike anything I have read before.

Brooke: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea is about the life of refugees in 1945 escaping from war. The story is exciting with many plot twists but also brought tears to my eyes at certain parts.

Phoebe: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughty and Tobias Iaconis

Another notable tear-jerker novel is Five Feet Apart co-written by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis, entailing a romance between two teenagers suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Forced to be distanced 6 feet apart for their safety, they were cursed never to touch. A light-hearted romance story that brings up health struggles in teens as they navigate through their lives. There is also an element of the opposites attract troupe, mixed with enemies to lovers. Despite being fairly fast-paced, this book was still able to invoke strong emotions. Be warned, it may seem light-hearted at first but it will make you ball your eyes out!

Helena: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green features a lung and thyroid cancer patient, Hazel, and Augustus, who had osteosarcoma, and as a result, his leg was amputated. They first meet at a cancer support group meeting, where Augustus was with their mutual friend, Isaac. Augustus asks Hazel to hang out, and she agrees. Their relationship blossoms throughout the book, even through the ups and downs of their difficult lives. 

I believe that this book is an essential read. It explores relationships, reliability, and coping with doom. Because of the message, it is one of my favorite books I've ever read. It’s also beautiful and completely heart-wrenching. It’s grim, meaningful, and relatively realistic throughout the novel, which is not always in the YA world. The end is very, very sad, but a fitting finale for the story.

Seven Percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O'Clover

written by Anna M.
Grade 12

I was massively excited to read Ellen O’Clover’s Seven Percent of Ro Devereux. It sat perfectly on the gray shelf, playing the part of my next good read excellently. A YA novel with an interesting, STEM-focused protagonist who designs her own app for a senior project? Yes, please. AND a romance side plot, best friends to enemies to lovers? Even more yeses and pleases. Ultimately, I badly wanted to like this book and was greatly disappointed.

This story has a fascinating start; the premise alone had me on the edge of my seat. After all, who doesn’t want to download an app that predicts your future? That would definitely come in handy in the tumultuous society in which we currently live. Ro Devereux is an overall fun, relatable main character. She’s nervous to turn in her assignment but also eager to be finished with it . . . and be finished with high school. Ro is a woman in tech whose dream is to work in Silicon Valley. Unexpectedly for Ro, when her app MASH (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House) that predicts a person’s future with ninety-three percent accuracy goes viral, her entire senior year is forever changed. She gains a tech company’s backing and is suddenly thrust into the influencer life. Also, MASH proclaims her ex-best friend Miller as her soulmate, bringing a hurricane of emotions as they begin to fake-date for the company contract. However, as she begins to truly fall for Miller and her app begins destroying kids' dreams, she must choose between her own dreams vs. what she created: a MONSTER—ASH.

First things first, I genuinely loved the premise of this YA novel. It was original and believable, two important aspects of a solid book. Still, I was immensely let down by the execution. Seven Percent of Ro Devereux has a great start but gradually worsened for me the more I read. There were some issues O’Clover touched on and then simply never brought closure to for me as a reader. I liked how she brought up the issue of a bright student not wanting to attend college but being pressured by one’s parents. That was definitely a plot line she could have gone deeper into, possibly discussing that generational gap or the need for college as a whole. Additionally, this novel touched on abandonment, both by a parent and by a close friend. This is such a relatable and also sensitive topic, and I think the author did a good job all things considered, but I would have loved to see more on the mother-daughter relationship trauma. Lastly, my greatest critique considering this novel and the thing that ultimately tipped it over the edge for me was how this app “destroyed” so many people’s lives. I completely understand how technology can affect people's lives; however, why did the parents of these kids tell them the app was a scam? The evil big corporation marketed MASH as 100% accurate, but still, are people really that dumb? If an app tells you that you are going to be a teacher, you can still be a piano player. An algorithm should never define someone. While that may have been the message the author was trying to get across, I think it was done backwards. Ro should not have had to dismantle her app because no one should have taken it so seriously in the first place.

In conclusion, I essentially wanted to tell everyone in this book get off their phone, go outside, and read a book. With a heavy heart, I would have to give this novel a three out of five stars. If you have nothing else to read, you might as well read Ro’s story. I know there are people out there who thoroughly enjoyed this YA read; I simply was not one of them. I still love and support the concept of the “seven percent,” the unknown, unpredictable part of future. It is such a fascinating and inspiring idea. What will you do with your seven percent? Mostly likely not read this book, but who knows? Maybe you will. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Debut Novels

written by Grace H.
Grade 12

It’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday at the Winter Park Library! 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly challenge where book bloggers everywhere compile a list of ten books (or sometimes other reading-related things) in response to a prompt. 

The challenge was started by That Artsy Reader Girl, and it encourages book-lovers from all over to interact and share some of their reading opinions. 

This week’s theme is… Debut Novels I Enjoyed!

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.

Goodnight Homeroom: All the Advice I Wish I Got Before Going to High School by Sam Kaplan

by Kate D.
Grade 11

Watch out, eighth graders, because high school is closer than you think. Goodnight Homeroom: All the Advice I Wish I Got Before Going to High School is an easy read, filled with colorful imagery and rhyme. Unlike your homework, you won’t have to worry about the due date to return this book because of its length and simple language.

This book was inspired by the famous children’s book, Goodnight Moon. Goodnight Homeroom tells the reader about a general high school experience, highlighting important events and helping the reader navigate the next four years. Inside, there is a summary of not only high school, but differences and struggles between all four grades.

The illustrations within Goodnight Homeroon are colorful and unique. The book is in second person in order to highlight your journey. While there is valuable information within Goodnight Homeroom, be wary for not all of the information applies to everyone and some of the lines can be interpreted wrong. Such is shown in multiple lines, such as: “And take mental health breaks/not sometimes, but often.” While mental health is important, so are your grades and attendance. Be cautious with how many “breaks” you take throughout the school year.

While mainly targeted to incoming high school freshmen, Goodnight Homeroom is an excellent gist of what the year will bring for any rising ninth, tenth, eleventh, or even twelfth graders. It truly was written to follow: “The advice I wish I knew before high school.”