There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

Reviewed by Britney S.
Grade 9

Grabbing your interest and not letting go, it goes up and down like a roller coaster. There Will Come A Darkness is Katy Rose Pool's first book and hooks your interest from the very beginning. It keeps you guessing what's going to happen next at the end of every chapter. It was all the way worth reading and leaves the reader wanting more.

With five heroes come five narratives, all chasing a goal while doubting their true feelings about it. They're all going through a journey that for each may lead to the beginning but not the end. Some may encounter shadows from the past; others take a new route and find themselves, all while finding the truth about the final prophecy left by the most mysterious characters from the story--the prophets. The ones that everything revolves around.

I loved this book. Each character had their own defining characteristic, a charm and a story as to why they became who they are. The setting is rather clear, involving a corrupted city, a secret land, a falling country and the end of the road that is only reached in the final chapters by the characters that drive each other. The plot keeps you hooked throughout the story, leaving you wanting more for the next chapter. The writing of the author truly inspires emotion with each unexpected turn.

I fully recommend There Will Come a Darkness because of the author's wonderful style, shifting views and fully immersing you into the character, the undying feelings of mystery and anticipation. How the conflict is developed through the characters is also wonderful, the characters own emotions for both sides and their impact on the rest of the story, the character development that occurs thanks to this and its plot driving qualities.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Reviewed by Maansi C.
Grade 10

In the book, Dear Martin by Nic Stone, Justyce McAllister, an African American teenager learns to grapple with society and deals with racism. Justyce McAllister is an African American teenager that goes to a school called Braselton Prep. He is at the top of his class, captain of the debate team, and is set to attend an Ivy League school next year. One night, he decides to go to a party with his friends and sees his ex-girlfriend, a white girl, who is drunk. He decides to drive her home and on the way was stopped by a police officer who thinks Justyce is taking advantage of her. Next thing he knows there are flashing lights and handcuffs around his wrists. After he is released, he studies the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and writes a journal of letters to Dr. King about the racism and social injustice that he has faced throughout his life. Justyce is driving with his best friend Manny, blasting music with the windows rolled down. A white police officer, who is off duty, pulls up next to them at a stoplight. Words fly and shots are fired, Justyce and Manny are caught in a crossfire.

Nic Stone, the author of Dear Martin, wrote this book to show the ways Justyce McAllister grapples with society. Her writing style allows you to understand the racism that Justyce grapples with. Some pages are written in dialogue that illustrate the offensive things that have been said to Justyce. Some chapters are also written as the letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr which show his struggle with how to deal with racism.

Even though this book is a hard topic, I would still recommend this amazing book. It is important to understand the social injustice and racism that happens in society today. It also allows people to understand what minorities go through every day. Nic Stone does an amazing job writing this beautiful, emotional book.