Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 11

As I was considering what new book I should read, Be Not Far From Me grabbed my attention. I skimmed through the plot summary on the inside cover of the book and thought it might be an interesting story. However, upon reading the first few pages, I realized this was not going to be a page-turner. In comparison to the summary, the actual story was dull, illogical, and to be honest, uneventful.

The tale centers on Ashley Hawkins, a poor teenager who has a love for running and aspires to develop a future with that passion. She also appears to be deeply knowledgeable of nature. The story begins with a hike that Ashley, her friends, and her boyfriend take in the Smoky Mountains, just out for a night of drinking and partying. However, when Ashley finds her boyfriend cheating on her, she races off randomly into the darkness. Only when she plummets into a ravine does she stop her mad dash. The rest of the book is her attempt to escape the forest with a gruesome injury on her leg. Ashley must put her survival skills to the test, and when her own mentor didn’t make it out alive, what chance does she possibly have?

Although the plot sounds exciting at first glance, I found the novel to be quite boring. Because Ashley was by herself for roughly 95% of the story, there wasn’t as much dialogue as I prefer in books. Additionally, it never felt like there was a climax. Even though different circumstances arose, the tone felt the same the entire time I was reading, giving the story a very uneventful vibe. The fact that Ashley, who is apparently gifted in the ways of nature and KNEW the dangers of leaving the trail, couldn’t remember how foolish it would be to do just that is pretty far-fetched. I understand that being cheated on is a traumatic experience, but it still didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.

I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone unless you enjoy reading something that's almost all description with little social interaction. As I mentioned previously, the novel was really a “straight line” in terms of excitement. While I think a good lesson was provided at the end, I would tell anyone who is considering this book to leave it on the shelf. Once you’ve read the plot summary, you’ve read the whole book.

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber

Reviewed by Lacey R.
Grade 11

Most people have a place they go when they need a break from life, where they go for solitude, peace, or just to feel nothing. There could be a certain room in one’s house, a diner, a park, or even the beach, but for 17-year-old Reiko Smith-Mori, it is the California desert. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber is a book filled with romance and intrigue--the story of a girl who had it all: the looks, the grades, the confidence, but all that changed when she lost her sister. She finds peace and solitude in the desert, and unexpectedly, a boy. This book relays the ups and downs of the pair’s relationship, if it could even call it that.

Reiko, is what one would call “an average teenage girl,” but she is far from average. She struggles with maintaining her veil of perfection, which can be depicted through her thoughts and sometimes extreme action. What those around her don't see is that she is not well, she is grieving her sister's loss, and moreover, repressing it. Someone stands in her way and isn't letting her move on--her sister, Mika, who she still sees and talks to as if she has not passed. Reiko, to escape the heartache of her sister, often escapes to the desert to relax. One night when she wanders out to the desert, she runs into a boy. They bond over a dreamlike moment of time, with the bright moon casting a soft glow across the abyss and the serenity of the desert night. The next day she sees him at school, and over time their relationship grows, until it doesn't. They unexpectedly and slowly grow apart, both dealing with dramatic changes. Reiko has to navigate her world of popularity contests, suppressed emotions and grief, and now a rocky relationship that may have been doomed from the start.

The book has a well-thought-out plot, yet character development would have made the read much more enjoyable. The plot follows the main character and her struggle of losing a loved one, with small scenes and short chapters, but the timeline becomes confusing. The rapid pace only deterred the characterization. The characterization, or lack thereof, seemingly changed the message of the book. While the author is trying to show the negative effects of miscommunications, there wasn't much communication between the writer and the audience. Emotions were told directly through the internal dialogue of the main character instead of actions or reactions. 

The book was a quick read, and seemed as if it were a quick write as well. There were chapters that did nothing for the plot, only reiterated something that was already known, useless conversations between characters, spontaneous trips that were only set up for later chapters to reveal something unimportant. There were many clichés in the book, with lines written in a way that it seems I have read them before, such as  “You’re selfish and spoiled, and usually you can get away with it, because you’re beautiful and charming,” which shows an overplayed arc and cheap characterization that is directly revealed to the audience.

Overall, if you are looking for a quick read for a school project, this is it, but if you are looking for a good book with a cute romance story, I would not recommend Only Love Can Break Your Heart. It seems as if the book was written in a short amount of time, with little attention to character development, conflict, and plot. The moral was produced in a way that was slightly insulting to the readers, such as a Disney movie about never judging a book by its cover; this book’s moral is that you never know what is going on with someone else and a lack of communication can be detrimental. The deeper moral, that was scattered throughout the chapters with a repetitive trope and a rocky relationship, was that to move past something, you must accept it first, which is of course a good lesson to learn, but in this book it seemed cheap. A book with a similar lesson would be The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds, which goes about accepting loss and love, in a more defined and readable way.

Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson & Ellen Hagan

Reviewed by Annabelle L.
Grade 12

Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan is a book that follows four teenage activists in high school and the struggles they face based on their gender, race, and appearance. The chapters are divided by month and perspective. The story switches between two of the main characters: Jasmine and Chelsea.

Jasmine is a fat, black young woman who enjoys theater. Chelsea is an insecure, white young woman who loves to write. They are both very outspoken and attend a school well-known for its progressiveness with their other two friends: Nadine and Isaac. Despite how progressive the school advertises itself to be, it is not without the everyday prejudices against those who do not fit societal expectations. These four, in trying to promote activism and speaking out through their school club, end up in hot water with the administration. Of course, they fight back.

The book is beautifully written, showcasing fantastic poetry from the characters that develop them and the story more. It touches on subjects that most coming of age and activist YA novels skim over. Examples of this include the effect of the beauty industry on women and men, the controversial topic of Henrietta Lacks, and the pigeonhole of POC-related roles and stereotypes in media. 

They do fall into the common pitfall of feminism: male equality. A few examples of this include one of the main characters using the word "womanist" instead of feminist (which toes the line of misandry) and Isaac being called weak for not doing something he is uncomfortable with (most likely as a joke, however that is not an excuse). 

The characters are very diverse in race, ethnicity, and body type (but not so much in gender or sexuality). They have flaws, are well developed, and multi-faceted. For example, Chelsea despises the industries that would take advantage of her but still feels the pressure of the societal standards women are held to. There is a theme of lack of consequences and resolution throughout the book, which might be intentional on the authors' part considering most of the people who get away with their shenanigans are white. A teacher pushes a racist stereotype on a black student, is called out on it, and, though it is mentioned a few times throughout the story, there is no resolution. Students dress as racist caricatures on school property and get away with it. One male student sexually harasses multiple female students and gets away with it.

There's also no follow up with one of the main character's love interests after he ceases to be relevant to the story. It's almost as if he completely disappears. It even shows up in the finale. Watch Us Rise finished with an open-ending. The reader won't get to see the pay-off, but they do get the experience of trying to enact change. It's not as satisfying as I would like but it is a very good ending all around.

I would recommend reading this book. It's a good portrayal of the frustrations of high school as someone who doesn't fit societal standards. There are a lot of little things about this book that I have critiques about but as a whole, it's a very engaging story. It has an accurate portrayal of sexual harassment and how it is typically dealt with (i.e. not at all), it highlights women of color in all fields, and it has a good message about body positivity. 

Not many writers get an accurate sense of what high school is like or how teenagers talk to each other, but the dialogue doesn't feel forced. I would believe these were real conversations that people were having with each other. The only real criticism I have is, though the book is about activism, it's very cishet-centered activism. LGBT themes are vaguely mentioned but never focused on. The story talks about minority representation but mainstream media is very hetero-normative. Otherwise, the writing is captivating and the poetry is phenomenal. 8.5/10, would recommend.

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne

Reviewed by Annabelle
Grade 12

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne is a futuristic YA novel that takes place in space. An ice age on Earth has forced humanity to the stars for centuries, with no end in sight. Ships are beginning to fail, some due to mechanical failure and others to a mysterious virus infecting the inhabitants.

The story follows Stella Ainsley, a young woman who gets an upgrade in her working position to be a private governess. She begins the story working in a poor, cramped, and struggling spaceship as an engineer and part-time teacher looking for other job opportunities. Her co-workers, though they understand why she is doing it, do not believe she will be able to escape her current situation. Luckily for her, one of her job requests is accepted! She is offered a teaching position on the illustrious, private, and rich ship: The Rochester. Her new boss is the handsome Captain Hugo who places her in charge of educating his younger sister, Jessa. As Stella works on the ship, odd things happen that nobody wants to talk about: arson, attacks, sabotage. She needs to figure out the truth and fast. She suspects lives could be at stake.

Donne's story does an excellent job of portraying government collusion to protect the wealthy and eliminate the poor. She does human persistence and adaptability justice, which is something not many science-fiction authors are capable of. Her main character is a perceptive, multi-skilled young woman with ambitious goals to improve her life. Stella is friendly and sociable, befriending most characters she meets throughout the book. Though lawful good, following the rules she is given, Stella is often described by other characters as bold, usually in reference to her rare protocol breaches when she speaks her mind to those above her status. In these instances, the reader would not see it as "boldness" but as the appropriate thing to do. It is later when she has to take on a government conspiracy almost alone that we see her true boldness. Captain Hugo's character, though, leaves much to be desired. He comes off like a White Boy Of The Month, all privilege and prestige but no actual desirable aspects past his appearance. His actions never have real consequences. He is a liar and keeps major secrets. Though the story ends before we can see if Hugo changes these negative character traits, how he is written does not give me much confidence.

The story, I admit, attracted me because it took place in space but I wouldn't recommend reading this book. Stella is an intriguing character but, in the end, is mildly disappointing. The story doesn't end satisfyingly with the solution feeling rushed. One, if not several, of the characters commit a war crime and it is not given the severity that is deserved. They don't even receive meaningful consequences for their actions, though that does not stop the other characters from acting as if they do. Overall, I gained nothing from the experience except a feeling of indignation and disappointment.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Reviewed by Kaitlyn K.
Grade 11

Do you like fantasy and folklore? Have you ever read a story based on African folklore? If not, you should try reading A Song ofWraiths and Ruin! Brown takes you back in time to a medieval setting and immerses you in a world like no other.

A refugee named Malik enters the desert city of Ziran during the Solstasia festival. This festival occurs once every fifty years and brings great hope to him and his two sisters. However, a spirit captures his younger sister and the only thing that the spirit truly wants is vengeance against the princess, Katrina. While Malik is trying to get closer to the princess to kill her, Katrina is facing her own problems, starting with an assassination and ending with a traitor. This book leaves you guessing at what the next page will bring.

The characters are brought to life in this fun, action-filled novel. Along the way Brown introduces several creatures included in African mythology that either leave you on the edge of the page or gasping in disbelief. The characters are brought to life as well, Katrina is shown as a musician in a bar as a way of escape from palace life while Malik's loyalty and compassion drives his every move.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy or retellings of old fairy tales. The style is very realistic, and the issues that arise are accurately depicted in a way that also entertains. There are also several action scenes throughout the books, and those were my personal favorites!

A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer

Reviewed by Lisa W. 
Grade 9

Imagine if there was another version of Earth hidden behind a door in your basement. A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer builds off of that concept and spins it into a story with twists, turns, and talking vegetables.

This book is about a teenage orphan, Jonathan Lambshead, who inherits his grandfather’s mansion following his untimely death. After arriving at the mansion with his two best friends to catalog the many contents of the house, Jonathan realizes that there is more to the house than piles of bird cages and old muskets. While exploring, he stumbles upon three doors in the basement, one of which leads to an alternate Earth known as Aurora. Aurora is led by the supernatural dictator Aleister Crowley whose life goal is to overrule alt-Europe and eventually all of Aurora. Using doll spies, dark magic, and the war-filled mind of Napoleon’s head - yes, the head is very much detached and alive - Crowley threatens to destroy the world. To defeat Crowley and his army of logically impossible things, Jonathan must accept his place as a member of a secret society, follow the clues tucked among the knickknacks in the mansion, and embark on a dangerous quest.

To quote Jeff VanderMeer himself, "The word escaped him, not only escaped him but sat at the edge of his mind making rude gestures at him." I’ve read my share of horrible books, nonetheless I think that this one, somehow, tops the list. The book starts off interesting, making me want to read more, however after the 4th chapter, everything goes downhill. There is absolutely no character development or backstory, just a few sentences here and there about Jonathan’s mother’s disappearance and that he’s an orphan in boarding school, but nothing else. None of the characters have any impact on the development of the plot: they’re just… there. This book is a total of 656 pages, which is perfectly fine, but considering the plot, this book should have only been 300-400 pages long. Prominent contributors to the extra 200 pages are long, confusing paragraphs that derail the reader from the actual scene and “humorous” but useless banter. These are common in VanderMeer’s eccentric style of prose, and therefore are mainly appreciated by fans of his work. Something to consider is that Jeff VanderMeer is a successful author of adult books, one of which became a movie with notable actors such as Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac, and this book is his first attempt at a YA novel; maybe he just doesn’t know what teens enjoy reading?

I would give this book 2 out of 5 stars for a unique plot. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who isn’t familiar with Jeff VanderMeer’s writing style, because it might be confusing and harder to appreciate. This could be an interesting read if you’re looking for  more eccentric prose, but for others, this book is most likely not one you’d enjoy.

The Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Reviewed by Natalie O.

Grade 12

Can you imagine solving a murder for a school project? That is the premise of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. This book is a solid young adult mystery with compelling characters and an interesting story line, even if the author doesn't quite stick the landing.

This book follows high school senior Pippa Fitz-Amobi, who decides to investigate the murder of a teenage girl in her small Connecticut town for a school project. Everyone in the town is convinced that the boyfriend of the murdered girl, who committed suicide shortly after her disappearance, is the culprit. But Pippa is not so sure. She teams up with the boy's brother to try and solve the case, and uncovers all kinds of secrets along the way.

Overall, I thought that book was a solid, if generic, mystery. The author does a good job of slowly building tension throughout the story in order to keep the reader engaged, and I genuinely cared about the characters. However, the premise of the story isn't very unique, and I don't feel that it was particularly memorable. I also felt like the mystery was resolved very quickly and we didn't get enough exploration of the case or build up to the solution. There were a lot of suspects, and I feel like there were just too many things going on for the author to go into any one possibility in depth, which led to a feeling that there were a lot of untied loose ends and the sense that everything that happened after the 50% mark was rushed. The last thing I want to say is that the author is from the UK, but the story is set in America, and the characters consistently use British slang and phrases. I feel like an editor should have flagged it, but it was also stuff that I think the author should have been able to differentiate herself. It kept taking me out of the world of the story.

I would give this book a solid 3 out of 5 stars. Even with some of the narrative problems, I enjoyed reading it. I think this would be a good book to pick up if you're not somebody who reads a lot of mysteries and you're just looking for a fun whodunit. If you're somebody who has read a decent amount of mysteries or thrillers, I think this book may be a bit predictable or generic for you. Overall, I felt very lukewarm about this book, but I would still recommend it if you're looking for a quick and fun read. I have also read the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson, and I would say that it has a similar style to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, but I found the plot and the mystery aspect to be much stronger if you are looking for something else.

 

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 12

*spoiler warning for A Court of Thorns and Roses!*

A Court of Mist and Fury is the sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses, a story where the main character, Feyre is pulled into the faerie world of Prythian. Set three months after the catastrophic events that concluded the first novel, Feyre is back home in Spring Court, preparing for her marriage to Tamlin and the rest of her new, immortal life. Yet even though she was brought back from death, a part of her died Under the Mountain and she continues to grapple with the horrors she faced. And she certainly has not forgotten about the bargain she made with the High Lord of Night Court. 

After three months of dead silence, Rhysand finally calls in his bargain with Feyre: one week per month at Night Court. In this sequel, as Feyre struggles to harness her newfound powers, a new threat arises, one that makes Amarantha seem like child's play, and Feyre may be the only one who can save them all. But before she can even hope to save this world that she has come to both love and hate, she must find a way to heal herself, or else everyone will be doomed. 

In my opinion, this is one of the rare times in which a sequel is better than the original novel. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed reading the first novel and I didn’t think it could possibly get better . . . until I read A Court of Mist and Fury. There are honestly so many things I liked about this novel. I really enjoyed how it explored the other courts of Prythian and the complexity of Rhysand’s character, who is anything but the reader's first impression of him as a morally questionable character. I also think that Maas beautifully wrote Feyre’s emotions in this novel as she struggles with her PTSD from Under the Mountain. It felt so heartbreakingly realistic and it really made the reader sympathize with Feyre.    

I would recommend this book, more accurately this entire series, to anyone who enjoys reading novels with a magical world like no other, crazy plot twists and turns, and some romance. Enjoy!  

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Reviewed by Susan Z.
Grade 11

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli is a young-adult novel revolving around an insecure girl learning to find her confidence, self-worth, and love. It takes place in the same universe as Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and is the author’s second book.

Meet Molly Peskin-Suso, a hopeless romantic who’s had a total of 26 crushes-but still no boyfriend. She has a twin sister named Cassie, who she considers the complete opposite of herself. Cassie’s pretty, skinny, outgoing, and has a much more successful love life. One fateful party brings a cute new girl into their lives, someone who’s basically Cassie’s dream girl. There goes confident, in-control Cassie; now she’s the lovesick one. Luckily for Molly, the new girl (Mina) also comes with a cute hipster boy named Will who just happens to be perfect crush material for Molly. And more good news just got dropped on the girls: their moms are getting married and plan on having them as their maids of honor! Everything seems to be going perfectly for Molly; she got her first job, her moms are having a wedding, her twin seems to be really in love, and soon she’ll have her first boyfriend. Except, despite everything seeming to go perfectly, it’s falling apart for Molly behind the scenes. Ever since Cassie started being in a relationship with Mina, the twin sisters have drifted apart. Even though Will is perfect in so many ways, Molly’s coworker, Reid makes her doubt herself. And preparing for a wedding is a lot more stressful than she had anticipated. With so many changes coming into her life all at the same time, Molly has a hard time figuring out what she truly wants. As the book progresses, Molly has to come to terms with the fact change is bound to occur and sometimes, all you can do is accept it.

This was such a good book, for so many reasons. I thought when I first saw this book it was going to be one of those generic romance novels. Girl has many crushes, and in the end, the girl ends up with a boyfriend. Happily ever after! But no, this book has so much more; it’s focused on the main character, who happens to be an insecure girl who’s had many crushes but has never been in a relationship, finding her self-worth, her confidence, learning to love who she is, and to stop being afraid of change.  I think this book is really relatable in that sense--lots of teenagers struggle to find who they really are, but it’s okay to not know and to need time to figure it out. The author also does a really good job of incorporating LGBTQ+ characters without making it their whole identity, and she also has characters that aren’t supportive just like in reality.

I would recommend this to everyone, especially if you liked Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Though this definitely wouldn’t be considered a sequel to that book, it’s in the same universe, and I think if you enjoyed that book, you’ll also really enjoy this one. If you’re a teenager, I would definitely give this book a go; it is a little romanticized but the underlying issues still reflect what many teens also struggle with. 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 12

“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”

Shatter Me by Tarhereh Mafi is a young adult dystopian novel set in the far future, where food is scarce, the sky's the wrong color, and birds don’t fly anymore. The world is crumbling and the Reestablishment has taken control, claiming their way to fix the world is the only way. Juliette Ferrars has not touched anyone in 264 days. The last time she did, someone died. With one touch, she has the deadly ability to leave a full grown man in immense agony and gasping for air. No one knows why she has this fatal power, but with bigger problems at hand, the Reestablishment locked her up in a cell for murder and left it at that.

Now with only the numbers in her head and words in a small notebook, it takes everything Juliette has to not go insane. Then one day, an old face from her past shows up as her cellmate and she doesn’t know what to think. With traitorous whispers of revolt and war now arising, The Reestablishment gives Juliette a choice: use her power as a weapon or, well, I suppose the alternative is not so pleasant. She finds a strength she never knew she had, but will she fight for what's right?        

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I think it does a great job of introducing the characters and the world they live in, which are later built upon in the following books of the series. Mafi creates her characters so they are incredibly complex and each have their own backstories. Also, I’m a huge fan of the dystopian genre, so it’s no surprise that I liked this novel.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys reading books that are extremely realistic and take place in the future. Though if I had to pick, I’d say that the third book in the series (Ignite Me) would be my favorite because of its dive into Warner’s character, which we don’t get in the earlier books. I hope you enjoy reading this novel, and hopefully the rest of the series! 

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 11

So. Tell me, little wolf. Do you want to punish those who have wronged you?

The Young Elites is a dark, young adult dystopian fantasy novel by Marie Lu that follows the points of view of three characters: Adelina, Enzo, and Teren. Many years ago a deadly illness spread like wildfire throughout this dark, Renaissance-like world, leaving many dead in its wake. The children who were lucky enough to survive this “blood fever” weren’t, in fact, lucky at all. The color of their hair and eyes changed and strange markings suddenly ran down their arms and legs. They were marked, or malfetto, and separated from society out of fear and misunderstanding because some of the marked survivors, known as the Young Elites, were rumored to possess deadly, magical capabilities along with the scars.

The story begins with Adelina Amouteru, a malfetto and survivor of the blood fever. While her mother died, Adelina survived, but her black hair was turned silver and now she only has a scar where her left eye used to be. Her merciless father wants to believe she has these rumored powers because if not, then she is but a worthless stain on his family’s name and reputation. And while Adelina loves her younger sister Violetta, she can’t help but feel resentment towards the other daughter who is still beautiful, unmarked, and wanted by her father. 

Elsewhere, Enzo Valenciano is the leader of the Dagger Society, a group of Young Elites who seek out other malfettos like themselves before they are hunted and killed. Teren Santoro works for the kingdom and, despite his dark secret, believes that it is his sole duty to destroy the Young Elites before they destroy the already unstable world they live in. 

These three individuals have no reason to run into each other...until they do. As Adelina’s newfound powers emerge, she doesn’t know what to believe, only that she wants to trust Enzo, the boy who saved her from death, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the world is not always so black and white. Each character fights their own battles, both internal and external. Yet in all this uncertainty, it is clear that Adelina’s powers should not belong in this world and that there is a deep-rooted darkness festering in her heart, threatening to consume both her and those who dare cross her.

 I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside. It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Unique. I truly wouldn’t use any other word to describe this series because it was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Lu does a fantastic job in creating an interesting world, along with extremely complex characters. I especially commend her choice of the main character, Adelina. While the novel is told from three different characters points of view, Adelina’s chapters are the only ones that are written in the first person, which gives the reader a clear look into her thoughts while also creating a sense of unpredictability in the events that will come to pass. I really like how Adelina is not the standard, predictable, and morally good character you see in a lot of books today. 

I would absolutely recommend this trilogy (The RoseSociety and The Midnight Star follow this novel) to anyone who’s looking for a dark and mysterious read. The sequel picks up after the shocking cliffhanger that leaves readers with their mouths hanging open and the series’ explosive finale truly leaves you shattered. This trilogy is definitely one of my favorites and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.           

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Reviewed by Arthi J.

Grade 11

We all bear scars...mine just happen to be more visible than most.

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan’s most notorious assassin. In a land recently stripped of all magic, the cruel king, who rules with an iron fist, holds a competition to determine who will become the King’s Champion: the person who will become the King’s personal blade, assassinating whomever he desires dead. Celaena, still reeling, both physically and emotionally, from the events that concluded this series prequel (The Assassin's Blade), is summoned to the glass castle from the slave mines of Endovier. The king offers her a bargain: win and competition and become his Champion, and, in return, she will be freed from the slave mines. Now, all that stands in her way are twenty-three extremely skilled killers, thieves, and fighters which should be no problem for the deadly assassin.

However, that is not the only thing that stands in the way of Celeana’s freedom. Something ancient and evil dwells in the glass walls of the castle--a place she believed to be free of magic--and it has one simple goal: to kill. When her competition begins to drop dead one by one, Celaena must fight not only for her freedom but also for her own survival and overcome her own demons that have left scars on her that run deeper than those on her back. Along with her new companions, the Crown Prince and Captain of the Royal Guard, she must work quickly to root out this mysterious evil before it destroys them all and the world surrounding them.       

The entire Throne of Glass series has definitely got to be one of my favorites. Looking back, it's truly astonishing to see how much the plot of the story and characters themselves have developed over the course of the books. Sarah J. Maas does a wonderful job in building the world of Erilea and the complexity of Celaena's character. I also really enjoyed the way in which this novel’s plot subtly builds up to the explosive conclusion that comes crashing down on the reader.  

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy novels and escaping to another world like no other. If you enjoy this series, I would also recommend Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series and her newest adult fantasy novel, House of Earth and Blood.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Reviewed by Arthi J.

Grade 11

If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.

Jude was only seven years old when her life was forever changed. One minute she was watching cartoons on the television with her twin sister Taryn, and older sister Viviene and the next, a dangerous stranger was banging on the front door of their home. Madoc, a powerful military commander of the fey, had finally found Jude's mother, whom Madoc had a complicated past with, and due to this, killed both her parents in retribution. Now orphaned and with nowhere else to go, Jude and her two sisters were whisked away to live in the dangerous High Court of the Faerie, fostered by their parents’ murderer.

After ten years of living in a beautiful, but deadly world where she has come to love her parents’ killer as a father, Jude wants nothing more than to belong and will go to great lengths to do so. After all, where else can she go? Though she was born in the mortal world, it is not nor will it ever be her home. Against all odds she fights for her rightful spot amongst the fey. But, many of them look down upon the mortality she was born with, especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and cruelest son of the High King. To win her place in court she must defy him and suffer the consequences for it. In doing so, she becomes tangled in the palace intrigues, trickery and deceptions of the High Court, whilst realizing her own alarming capacity for bloodshed. Yet, as a civil war in the fey kingdom threatens to destroy the only, however cruel, world she’s ever felt at home in, circumstances cause Jude to find herself in a dangerous alliance, which could crumble to pieces at any given second, with the one she hates most: Cardan. Working with the cruel prince of fey, Jude must risk her life to save everything she’s ever known and loved, or possibly lose it all.  

I really loved reading The Cruel Prince. I have read other books that follow the concept of fae, or fey, like A Court of Thorns and Roses (another great read) and it truly astonishes me how distinct and amazing this novel really is. Even though only two characters actually have the ability to lie, it's ironic to find out the numerous deceptions, lies, and trickery that are revealed throughout the novel. Holly Black does a fantastic job in developing Cardan and Jude’s characters, building the hidden fey world they live in, and subtly working up to an ending that truly comes crashing down upon the reader.  

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy novels with various plot twists and turns. I think Holly Black did a wonderful job with this series, and I’m also really excited to read her upcoming novella to this series which is going to be from Cardan’s point of view. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 11

Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don't feel anything at all.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is a fantasy novel, loosely based off of the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. It is set in the world of Prythian where humans and a different species, called fae, live with nothing but a wall separating them. Long ago, these faeries fought against the humans in a large scale war, and it resulted in very little land being left for the humans. The fae have special strengths and abilities, and their world is separated from the humans with a great wall due to lasting tensions and resentments from the war. Their own lands are divided into courts--Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Dawn, Day, Nightmare--each of which are led by a High Lord.

 The human and fae worlds have had little to no interaction since the great war. However, that all changes when nineteen-year-old huntress, Feyre, kills a large wolf in the nearby woods, and a beast-like creature arrives at her family’s cottage, demanding retribution for the fae life she unknowingly ended. According to an old treaty between the fae and humans, written at the end of the war, Feyre has two choices: either be killed or spend the rest of her human life imprisoned in the Fae lands. And so, she is dragged away from her home, family, and everything she’s ever known to live in a dangerous, magical land with her captor, who she later discovers is not an animal, but in fact Tamlin, the High Lord of Spring Court. As she dwells in his estate, her feelings towards Tamlin transform from icy hostility to a fiery passion as she learns more about this beautiful world and uncovers the hidden truths beneath every lie and myth she has ever been warned of. But, with a mysterious “blight” quickly damaging and taking over the fae world and beginning to seep into her own, Feyre must find a way to stop it--or risking losing everything she loves.This is a book of magic, love, fate, power, revenge, and so much more as Feyre comes to know her captor and the strange world she now lives in.

This is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. I never expected what was going to happen, and it had the most complex characters that I loved to read about. It was a bit slow at first, but then sped up and became much more interesting later in the book. I’m not a huge romance person when it comes to reading, but this was a truly wonderful exception and I think that Sarah J. Maas did a fantastic job in building her characters and the unique world surrounding them.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and romance, along with some drama and excitement. A Court of Thorns and Roses is a magnificent book with many twists and turns, and I am so excited to read the second book, A Court of Mist and Fury and later Throne of Glass, another renowned series by Maas. 

Stars Above: a Lunar Chronicles Collection by Marissa Meyer

Reviewed by Susan Z. 

Grade 12 

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer is a collection of several stories; most of which serve as prequels to the main series, and one being an epilogue. If you’re done with the Lunar Chronicles and you want more...this is that book. It’ll give you a bit of history, a look at what happened in the near future, and more. 

Stars Above is made up of nine chapters, each a separate story. "The Keeper", "Glitches", "The Queen’s Army", "Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky", "After Sunshine Passes By", "The Princess and the Guard", and "The Mechanic" are all what I would consider prequels to the Lunar Chronicles. Some are backstories that provide a bit of history while others have events that happen literally right before or at the beginning of the series. They all sort of just provide additional context, and also some are told from a different person’s perspective. 

"Something Old, Something New" is the epilogue we all wanted. I would say it picks up just about a few weeks after Winter (the last book in the main series). It’s really sweet, and if you weren’t happy with where Winter ended off... "Something Old, Something New" will definitely bring some closure. So, this was the final chapter, however, there is one previous chapter that isn’t really a prologue or an epilogue, and it doesn’t really fit into the main series. "The Little Android", following the same style as the other books, is a sci-fi twist on The Little Mermaid. Androids aren’t meant to fall in love, or really have any emotions in general, but this one certainly does. 

 I really enjoyed all the stories in Stars Above, being a big fan of the Lunar Chronicles. Like I said, they are mostly prequels. I liked getting to know the characters a bit more through these prequels. Another thing I liked was that we got some new perspectives; some events do overlap with what has happened in the main series, but we got a different person’s point of view so that was pretty nice. I really enjoyed the epilogue, I think it was a great way to end things. And although I didn’t mind how Winter ended, this epilogue did tie up some of the loose ends. "The Little Android", I was confused the first time I read it, but it made more sense the second time around. I think it’s cool that another classic fairy tale got a sci-fi update. I would be pretty excited if the author came out with more of these short stories. 

 I would recommend this book for those that have already read the Lunar Chronicles and enjoyed those books. I think this book alone can be a little confusing if you were to read it by itself, without having prior knowledge on the Lunar Chronicles. So if you haven’t read those books, they’re really great books for everyone. I would especially recommend them for people who like science fiction.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 11

"Thou Shalt Kill."

Scythe, by Neal Shusterman, is a young adult novel that takes place in a unique, dystopian society. The year is 2041, and by now what we refer to as “the cloud” has developed into the Thunderhead, and has solved all of humanity’s problems. An almost perfect utopia exists, where humanity has conquered poverty, hunger, disease, corruption, and even death itself. Almost.

Scythes, who operate separately from the Thunderhead, are the only ones with the license to permanently kill, or “glean” (in order to keep the size of the population under control). With this great power, they are expected to kill with morality and honor. The novel follows the story of Citra and Rowan, two teenagers who are reluctantly taken under the wing of the honorable Scythe Michael Faraday in an apprenticeship to become a scythe. They are expected to become the deadly weapons of society, because if not, their failure will result in grave consequences. However, they are living in turbulent times where not all scythes glean with honor and integrity and have their own selfish and sinister desires in mind. Cracks are forming within the Scythedom, and Citra and Rowan will soon find out that this so-called utopia they are living in is not so perfect after all. But will they be too late?

I really enjoyed reading Scythe. To be honest, this trilogy (Thunderhead and The Toll follow this novel) has been on my book list for a while now and I’m especially glad I finally took the time to read it. At first, the plot moved a bit slow, and I had a lot of unanswered questions; but I later realized that the build-up was worth it because the ending absolutely blew me away. I think that Neal Shusterman did a good job in balancing his focus between building the world surrounding Scythe and the characters themselves.

I would definitely recommend this book to almost anyone. However, if you are the type of reader who is more invested in the characters themselves, or more specifically the relationships and romances between them, then this book might not be the best fit for you. While it does include some romance, it is not the entire focus of the novel. In my opinion, Shusterman does a fabulous job in following the moral grey area regarding killing in order to maintain the size of the population and in creating an incredibly unique, dystopian world like no other. Overall, this was a great novel to read, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Fairest: Levana's Story by Marissa Meyer

Reviewed by Susan Z.
Grade 11

Having been burned as a kid by your supposedly loving older sister really does something to you.

The book Fairest: Levana’s Story written by author Marissa Meyer is a prequel to The Lunar Chronicles. The entire series is, what I would describe as, classical fairy tale characters but placed in a sci-fi futuristic setting. Levana, our main antagonist, is the power-hungry, manipulative, and extremely cruel ruler of Luna. It doesn’t take much to guess who she’s based off of. Based of the main series, readers know her as a tyrant who's the stepmother of Princess Winter, trying to murder Cinder, and conquer Earth. Fairest: Leavana’s Story gives readers an insight as to how Levana became the Evil Queen.

The book begins with the accident and ends events that occur right before Cinder (the first book in the main series). In Fairest, readers get a glimpse of Levana’s history and events that made her the person she is. It has bits of her childhood, filled with neglectful parents and an abusive sister, her love life--falling for someone who was already in love with another, and her rise to power. Despite her traumatizing childhood where her sister, Channary, basically threw her into a fireplace, Levana always had love for Luna. When their parents died and Channary became queen, Levana had ideas on how to make Luna better. When Channary died however, and Levana became queen...the power got to her. Though initially she had good intentions on making Luna better for its people, being the queen eventually got to her head. Levana craved power; she wanted to be loved by her citizens forever. The only thing that could stop her was Channary’s little daughter. Because the daughter was so young, Levana, the only other member of the royal family, temporarily took the throne. But Levana wanted forever; she wanted to secure that position of power. So she did the only reasonable thing and had her niece disposed of--or so she thought. Now with her out of the way, Levana had full control of Luna. But eventually the love of an entire planet wouldn’t be enough for her, and Levana would turn to Earth.

Even after learning Levana’s backstory, I didn’t feel remorse for her. I understand she had a very abusive childhood and practically never felt any love, but in the end she was still a bad person who continued doing bad things. Fairest is a really good book and did a really good job describing Levana. It explains Levana’s backstory and I understand how she became the person she is. I am happy that this is what we got instead of a redemption arc for Levana. Another thing I thoroughly enjoy about this book is that it doesn’t defend Levana. It’s not a book trying to explain her actions by any means. Even in Fairest, Levana does some pretty bad things--like how she got rid of her niece, so it’s definitely not a book trying to defend who she is or trying to put the blame on someone else.

I recommend Fairest for people who have read The Lunar Chronicles. I’m not saying if you haven’t read the series that you shouldn’t read Fairest, there’s just a lot that I wouldn’t understand if I hadn’t already read the other books. And if you haven’t read The Lunar Chronicles, I definitely would recommend those too for really everybody.

Nil by Lynne Matson

Reviewd by Ela P.
Grade 11

Of course I'd hallucinate a zebra. Why couldn't I dream up Robert Pattinson or, better yet, a river of Gatorade?

Have you ever had a dream that seemed too real to be just a figment of your imagination? Well, the novel, NIL, by Lynne Matson explores that unreal experience through the lens of a normal high school girl, Charley. However, rather than make this whimsical island one filled with everything a girl could dream, it was filled with real-life experiences and its many wild horrors. Charley is a normal high school girl, who couldn't think any differently from the life she was living. However, when she is taken from her normal home life, and randomly dropped on NIL, an island that the world doesn't know exists, she is forced to prioritize her survival over every distraction NIL presents. No matter how hard she tries, getting off of NIL is more than just a task, its a game, in which their only opponent is NIL herself.

Everything was always easy for Charley as a normal teenage girl, or so she thought... until she got to NIL. Trapped naked on an island that nobody knew about, and little hopes of contact with the normal world, Charley finds herself lonely and afraid of all the dangers that lurked in the woods on the island. This all changed when she met Thad, a Canadian boy, who introduces her to a small village of other teenagers from around the world who ended up on NIL just like her. They quickly fall for each other, creating the only feeling of happiness that she gets on the island, but also a weakness for NIL to prey on. The people on the island treat NIL like a curse watching over them, toying with their lives as if they were a game to her, and doing everything in her power to stop them from escaping her torture. In order for them to beat NIL, they all have to work together to do their part, but when some are filled with jealousy and desperation, their union slowly falls apart, leading them all to face many more disasters. In order to get off of NIL before their 365-day limit is over, they all have to work harder than ever, face their fears, put their lives in danger for the people they love, and make sacrifices to remain in order. Charley is forced to change herself, to cooperate with these vastly different teenagers and learn to keep her new family on the island safe by stepping out of her comfort zone, something she wouldn't be willing to do before. As Thad's time on NIL is coming to an end, their desperation causes their love to become stronger, and the two teenagers are faced with a debacle. Should Thad go before his time is up or should he take the risk to save the one he loves?

At first, it did seem like it was the stereotypical "trapped on a dangerous island" book, however, towards the end I realized that there was more reality than fantastical elements underlining the story. It shows ups and downs of every person, which is more down to Earth than the typical "struggle after struggle" plot, which made it more realistic. Every character makes mistakes and all struggle between acting on their sense versus emotions, which better represents the human instincts and their need for survival. Similarly, their situation makes the reader think about the difference between the dreams and realities, and the line that can be crossed. I thought that using an Island as the setting, and personifying "mother nature's power" was very good since it is still a belief that many cultures think true. It made me rethink the power of nature and its curses that it could very well present to any of us at her mercy, whether we are on an island or not. It's very mind-boggling and provides a thrill to anyone looking for an interesting book to read.

I really loved reading NIL, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wanted a fantasy-based book with certain realistic elements. It is a very important lesson to the young adults reading the book and puts their lives in perspective to Charley's. Personally, I find it an important book that teaches the moral of perseverance no matter what struggle people are facing in their lives, and that eventually, it pays off. It was a lesson even I had to learn from the book when I read it. Her story made me reflect on my life, and how in order to achieve my goals, I had to keep working towards them without stopping to even consider quitting. The sequels of NIL are also very good, though they are told from different perspectives of different teenagers living on the island, I would recommend reading those as well. Overall, this was a very good and influential book that I would hope you enjoy as well.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 10

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a young adult novel about a young teenage girl named Hazel Grace Lancaster, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer for as long as she can remember. By now, she has lost all hope and has come to terms with what her life will be like with her diagnosis. At first, she is reluctant to attend a local cancer support group recommended to her by her parents, but she soon realizes after meeting a boy named Augustus Waters (diagnosed with osteosarcoma), that maybe it isn’t the worst thing.

Augustus is charming and witty, however Hazel can’t help but to push him away like everyone else in her life. Augustus is not like everyone else, however, and he keeps coming back. He is drawn to her in a way that Hazel doesn’t understand. As Hazel and Augustus embark on an emotional roller coaster of romance, sadness, and humor, including a trip to Amsterdam in search of Peter Van Houten, the author of An Imperial Affliction (Hazel’s favorite book), Hazel starts to realize that her life is more than just terminal . . . it is about to be completely rewritten.

This is one of the best books I have ever read and not at all just, as Hazel would put it, a “cancer book.” Behind Augustus and Hazel’s stories, lies many themes and morals that are up for the reader's interpretation. I really appreciate how John Green builds this heart-warming story out of the darkness and despair that comes with the topic of cancer. I can also honestly and proudly say that I cried during the ending of this novel (which is saying much because it takes a lot for me to cry).

I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a sweet, humorous, and, sadly, tragic love story to read. I thought that this was a beautifully, well-written novel and that the characters and plot were both unique beyond measure. So, get out your tissues and embark on this crazy, emotional roller coaster, and I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did.

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 10

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson is a young adult novel told from the perspective of Ozzie, a high school student. Tommy and Ozzie have been best friends since the second grade and boyfriends since eighth. Ozzie doesn’t have many plans for the future, but the only thing he knows for certain is that Tommy is in it.

But then one day Tommy disappears or, more accurately, he ceases to exist. Tommy has been wiped from the memories of everyone he knew and loved . . . everyone except Ozzie. Now, Ozzie doesn’t know what to do, and people start to think he’s crazy. Between creating a person out of thin air and going through therapists quicker than underwear, they’re not that far off. In addition, Ozzie is certain that the universe is shrinking and that somehow he, Tommy, and his new physics project partner, Calvin are involved. As Ozzie and Calvin spend more and more time together, it gets harder and harder for Ozzie to deny his feelings for Calvin even though he still loves Tommy. But time is running out, and Ozzie knows that the window for saving Tommy is closing, and once it’s closed it can’t be opened again. But, Ozzie is determined to keep it open for as long as possible to get Tommy back. How he will do it? Now, there’s the real question.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and the ending truly had me shook. I thought that this was a very beautifully written novel and that even though some parts were difficult to read, it was all very realistic. In my opinion, the characters were well developed, and the plot was very unique and unlike anything I have ever read before.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a sweet and humorous, yet meaningful book to read. Hutchinson includes many layers, hidden meanings, and ambiguities in his novel that certainly keeps his audience guessing and on their toes. So if this seems like your kind of novel I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

A Curse So Dark And Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 10

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer, based on the story of Beauty and the Beast, is a young adult novel which is told from the point of views of Rhen and Harper. These two people couldn’t be any more different, yet they eventually find themselves fighting together against powerful forces in the kingdom of Emberfall. Rhen is the crown prince of a kingdom that is not truly his. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to relive the autumn of his eighteenth year because of a simple mistake, Rhen thought he would easily be able to break his curse and get back to his kingdom. I mean, all he had to do was get a girl to fall in love with him. Seems easy enough, right? Well, him turning into a vicious beast hell-bent on death and destruction at the end of each season would certainly be considered as an obstacle. By now he’s given up any hope of being saved . . . that is, until a mysterious girl shows up on his doorstep.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. Her father abandoning their family, her mother dying of cancer, and her brother constantly treating her like a fragile vase that could break at any second because of her cerebral palsy certainly doesn’t help, but she pulls it together and manages. But one day when she tries to save a stranger on the dangerous streets of Washington DC, she’s pulled into an alternate, magical world. Now she doesn’t know where she is or if the whole thing is just a really long and strange dream. And as she spends more and more time with Prince Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understands what's really at stake. And Rhen realizes that Harper is not just another girl to play the same old tricks on. But, there is a powerful and dangerous enemy looking to destroy the kingdom of Emberfall and Harper and Rhen now know that they need to put whatever differences they have aside, including Rhen’s curse, to save the people of his kingdom from utter ruin.

I truly loved reading A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and I would definitely suggest reading the sequel, A Heart so Fierce and Broken, after to receive some much wanted answers to the first novel’s cliffhanger. I admit, the plot moved kinda slow in the beginning, but the build-up made the ending absolutely worth it and I totally didn’t see it coming. I love how almost each and every character has a backstory and a reason for being a part of the story and this is one of the many reasons why the plot of this novel was very well developed and unlike anything I have ever read before.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking to temporarily leave behind our boring reality and escape to a magical and surreal world like no other. Kemmerer does a fantastic job in her world-building, yet another reason why I enjoyed this novel so much. It truly felt like I was right there in Emberfall besides Harper and Rhen as they fought together to try and save his kingdom and its people. Overall, this was a very sweet and mystical book to read and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Reviewed by Susan Z.
Grade 10

“Don't be the girl who goes to college with a boyfriend.”

Lara Jean has already had such a wonderful senior year and she still has lots to look forward to: a class trip, prom, graduation, Beach Week and more. She’s in a great relationship with her boyfriend, Peter, her dad’s getting married, and she has college plans all sorted out. Imagine life being that perfect, that’s what Lara Jean thought too...until something unexpected happened that changed her life forever. Despite that, she still tries to enjoy the rest of her final year in high school.

Lara Jean had life after high school all sorted out. Her plan was to get into the University of Virginia (UVA)--which Peter had already gotten into for playing lacrosse--to continue her relationship with Peter, and to be close enough to home so she could be there for her little sister, Kitty. Those plans were shattered when she wasn’t accepted into UVA. As she goes through the rest of her senior year, enjoying hanging out with her friends, helping plan her dad’s wedding, and spending as much time with Peter as possible, she’s left thinking what to do next. She gets accepted into other colleges, but all she can think about is how the distance will put a strain on her relationship with Peter. And it turns out, despite coming off very confident, Peter is also under stress due to Lara Jean not attending UVA. With other challenges being thrown at them throughout the novel, Lara Jean is stuck wondering whether her relationship with Peter can really last. And when she gets off the wait list of another one of her dream colleges that's 4 hours away, Lara Jean has to decide whether she’s going to listen to her head or her heart.

I read the first book in this series, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and then watched the 2nd book's film adaptation,To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You, because I was so hooked and the book was checked out from everywhere. And so was this book, but there is no adaptation yet; so I actually kind of forgot about this book until it came in the mail a few days ago. I love this book...I love the entire series. Lara Jean is just so lovable, and witnessing her grow from what she was like in the first book...her character growth is just amazing. I think this book is the one where she was the most relatable. I love how the author didn’t give her a happily ever after-even though I do believe Lara Jean deserves a break with everything she went through in the previous books. But I’m glad the author made Lara Jean struggle and work for, not the future she had planned, but still one that she is excited about. It just shows that life can be challenging and messy at times, but in the end, even if it’s not the route you had planned to take, you’ll get to your destination.

I would recommend Always and Forever, Lara Jean to really everybody; it’s such a good book and conclusion to the series. If you haven’t read the two previous books, I recommend doing that first. I don’t believe it is absolutely necessary for you to read the other books before reading this one, but there will be a few references that you might not get, one of which made me cry. I do really recommend this book to high schoolers, I find it relatable with Lara Jean trying to balance everything going on in her life. And I recommend this for anybody who enjoys a good romance novel.

Rules For Being A Girl by Candace Bushnell & Katie Cotugno

Reviewed by Misha S.
Grade 10

"Remember, girls. Put a little color on your face. Don't wear short skirts. Be funny but don't hog the spotlight. Don't give him the wrong idea. Don't blame him for trying."

Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno is a short, sharp, feminist novel depicting a girl who pushes her way through expectations and "rules" for being a girl. In modern society, women are expected to be and act certain ways. This book highlights sexism found in the everyday world and highlights upon feminism.

This story is led by Marin, a typical sophomore high school girl who has a boyfriend, her best friend, and a favorite teacher. She leads life normally at school until an incident which flips her perspective around and makes her realize the sexist mindset of teachers and students alike in her high school. Let's talk about her favorite teacher for a moment. Mr. Beckett, or "Bex" as he's referred to by all the students is a charismatic and youthful teacher who is loved adored by all the kids. He's extremely friendly with students, and often gives them rides in his car, hangs out with them etc. Marin considered him as her teacher best friend and casually hung out with him until one day, he takes her to his house. Before I reveal the incident, let's not forget that is teacher is 40-ish years old whereas Marin is 16. He kisses her. Marin didn't want anything of the sort, and let's just say she was traumatized. But she was even more shocked that her teacher was completely casual about it, not to mention, she had to see him everyday in school. This happens near the beginning, so this isn't a spoiler. Throughout the rest of the book, Marin deals with telling people about what happened to her (only to find out no on believes her), noticing subtle sexism from her peers (including her boyfriend), having everyone turn their backs on her and opening a feminist book club. The rest of the story is quite interesting to say the least.

I find the setting and the characters very relatable. Marin is like every other teenage girl, and I can almost put myself in her position. Before the incident she doesn't think much of what people say, but after it she starts to notice many different issues found in her high school itself. For example, her English teacher "Bex" gave a list of books the students have to choose to write a report on, but all the of the authors were only male and white. She finds this weird and speaks up in class about why there weren't any female authors in the list, and everyone just looks at her weird and even her teacher blows it off with a joke. Another example (which I think everyone can relate to) is the dress code. There is a dress code for both boys and girls, yet only the girls are enforced to follow it. Boys violate the dress code, and no one seems to care. The moment a girl wears a skirt that's half an inch too short, she has to go to the principal's office because apparently she is "distracting" the boys with her legs. Marin notices these things and starts to speak about it, but of course, no one listens.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone because I feel like this book highlights important issues on sexism and feminism in today's world. The character development was absolutely brilliant because before the incident, you can see the sexism that prevails but you notice that Marin just brushes it off. Post incident, she starts noticing every little thing wrong in the the system and the mentality towards girls and women. This book provides and lessons that everyone needs to be educated about. Hope you liked my review! Furthermore, for books similar to these, I highly recommend The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed :)