BOOK VS FILM! The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

by Grace H.

The Teen Book Guild is proud and excited to display our new blog series: Book VS Film! We will discuss both the book and film adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, and we'll deliver a verdict at the end!

Disclaimer: minor spoilers ahead.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the prequel to the well-known Hunger Games series. This new addition follows Coriolanus Snow, the villain of the original trilogy, as a teenage boy living in the Capitol. Coriolanus's prestigious family has fallen into debt and ruin after the death of his father, and Coryo must win back his honor. How so? By becoming one of the first ever mentors of the 10th Annual Hunger Games, where 24 teenagers fight to the death. Which is done better, the film or the book?

The Book

Contrary to some, I immensely enjoyed this prequel. I thought it was fascinating to be able to see the origins of many of the components of the Hunger Games through the eyes of a future villain. My favorite parts were the hidden easter eggs that hinted towards plot points from the original trilogy. In comparison to the movie version, there were a couple things that the book did better. First of all, in the novel, we get a lot of scenes with Ma Plinth and her cooking for Coriolanus, which were completely absent in the movie. We also get more of a backstory surrounding Lucy Gray and the rest of the Covey. However, all in all, the movie adaptation matched the book very well.

The Film

The movie adaptation hit theaters in mid-November of this year and has been trending ever since. Snow, in particular, has become increasingly popular on TikTok. The film has been praised for following the book closely, and with a few minor exceptions, I agree. For fans of the book (like myself), this made for a great viewing experience.

The casting of the movie was incredible; Tom Blythe and Rachel Zegler did a fantastic job in their roles, and both really made their characters come to life. Personally, I thought it was SO COOL to see Snow as a teenager. Another benefit of the movie was getting a lot more action scenes of Lucy Gray in the arena. The book mainly stays with Coriolanus, but in the movie, we get scenes inside the arena, more from the perspective of Lucy Gray. One drawback of the movie is the absence of Clemensia's fate after being bitten by Dr. Gaul's snakes. After the incident, she disappears for the rest of the movie. However, more scenes with Tigris make up for it, especially in the epilogue.

The Verdict

After careful deliberation, I have decided that the movie version of the story has won.

Simply being able to see the action on screen with the amazing actors portraying the characters beats reading on paper. However, I would still highly recommend reading the book, as the plot points between the film and novel are very similar.

What do you think? Does the book or film win?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Feel Like a Harry Styles Song

Written by Helena M.

It's another Top Ten Tuesday, brought to you by the WPL Teen Book Guild!

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday is a widespread trend in which book bloggers create a “Top Ten” list in response to a different topic each week.

This week: the theme is a freebie, so Helena chose--

Top 10 Books That Feel Like a Harry Styles Song

1. As It Was - The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Summer I Turned Pretty follows Belly, her brother, and the Fisher brothers when they go to their summer house every year. Belly has always loved Conrad, but it never is reciprocated. But this summer, everything has changed. As It Was gives off the same vibe as The Summer I Turned Pretty - they both have fun, summer aesthetics.

2. Matilda - Impostor Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim 

Impostor Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim is about Ale, a Korean Argentinian, who struggles with fitting in at her wealthy predominantly white school and her home in Jackson Heights. She dreams of going to a prestigious liberal arts school with her best friend Laurel, but Laurel starts a petition against a teacher who claims Ale is a shoo-in for colleges because of her race. This book deals with the heavy topic of acceptance and racism. Matilda and Impostor Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim are very similar because they speak of not feeling comfortable or accepted anywhere.

 

3. From the Dining Table - The Night in Question 

The Night in Question is the second mystery in its series. It features Alice and Iris again, with a new mystery relating to Kennedy, Alice’s old friend. Alice is still coping with Brooke’s death and is ready to forget with a new obsession. As the mystery becomes deeper and deeper, the pair is stuck in an inescapable hole. From the Dining Table and The Night in Question are similar because they both have the same feeling of grief and melancholy during hard times.

 

4. Kiwi - The Cheerleaders

One night, two cheerleaders mysteriously die in a car crash. Then the rest of the team dies too. Monica, the little sister of one of these cheerleaders, is determined to find the truth. She is terrified of what she will find and knows it could threaten her life. Kiwi and The Cheerleaders give off the same dangerous feelings.

 

5. Watermelon Sugar - We Were Liars

We Were Liars is about Cadence and her cousins on a private island that her perfect family owns. Their island is the most magical place on Earth for Cadence because it has memories of the sun and family. But when she begins to unravel decades of injustice and terrible practices, she begins to rebel against her parents with her friends at her side. We Were Liars and Watermelon Sugar both tell tales of nostalgic fun. 

 

6. Two Ghosts - They Both Die at the End

Rufus and Orion got the call, the one that ends lives. In their world, they have DeathCast, which can accurately tell you when you die. So when they get the call, they are determined to live. They haven’t met, but fate leads them together on the famous Last Friend app. They form a connection and encourage each other to step out of their comfort zones. Two Ghosts speaks of changing personalities and feeling empty, and Rufus and Orion certainly change throughout They Both Die at the End.

 

7. Little Freak - If He Had Been With Me

Autumn and Finn have been close friends since they were little; then Autumn begins to like Finn. But he is in a relationship with Sylvie, which gives her conflicting emotions. He dies in a tragic accident, and Autumn is left to cope with his death. Little Freak is about a special girl that is unique from most people, and Autumn was certainly that for Finn in If He Had Been With Me.

 

8. Sweet Creature - Love & Gelato

Love & Gelato features Lina, an American girl who goes to Italy for her mother’s dying wish. Lina finds her mother’s notebook and begins to recreate her experiences with the help of Ren, a local Italian boy. In Sweet Creature, Harry Styles speaks about how a girl reminds him of home, just like how Lina’s mother helps her find her family history through her journal.

 

9. Adore You - American Royals

 

American Royals provides an alternate American reality where there isn’t a president, but instead a royal family. Nina and Sam, the American princess, are best friends. But Nina starts to have feelings for Sam’s brother, Prince Jefferson. Their lives are constantly on display, and Nina can’t seem to get away from the press. America just “adores” the royal family. Adore You and American Royals are similar because the characters are loved, but never reciprocated at the same level.

 

10. Love of my Life - To All the Boys I've Loved Before 

Lara Jean is a high schooler who writes letters to boys she has crushes on. But she never actually sends them. Her little sister, Kitty, sends out all of the notes after her older sister, Margot, leaves for college. It stirs up drama with her old crushes. Love of My Life is about a girl that the speaker loves, and Lara Jean almost sounds like the speaker.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set in High School

Written by Grace H.

Hello and welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday, brought to you by the WPL Teen Book Guild! Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday is a widespread trend in which book bloggers create a “Top Ten” list in response to a different topic each week.

This week: the theme is: Books Set in X , in our case...High School!

Many of the greatest YA books are set in high school, probably because the teenage years are such a pivotal and dramatic part of any character’s life. Here are some of my favorites!

1. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

3. Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest

4. Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

5. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

6. A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

7. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

8. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

9. Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

10. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Which of these have you read? And what are some of your favorite YA books set in high school that I didn’t mention? 

-Grace H.

Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons Why I’m Thankful for (These!) Books

Written by Em C. 

The Winter Park Library Teen Book Guild is one again happy to show its second installment of Top Ten Tuesdays. Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday is a widespread trend in which book bloggers create a “Top Ten” list in response to a different topic each week.

Top 10 Reasons Why I’m Thankful for (These!) Books 

 

1. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure - This series is what got me into manga and anime

2. Adachi to Shimamura - This is the first romance book I ever read, and it's now one of my favorite genres.

3. Girls Last Tour - The philosophy, aesthetics, and characters of this work really resonated with me.

4. Love Me For Who I Am - This is the first book I read that dealt with explicitly queer themes.

5. Nichijou - This series comedy is on point, it always lifts my spirits.

6. Uzumaki - This book is what made realize how much I love horror.

7. Topside - This science fantasy book is what got me started in reading Western graphic novels.

8. Squire - This series reignited my interest in fantasy works.

9. Boys Run The Riot - This manga series had very well written characters and story.

10. Clock Strikers - This book made me aware of manga-style works from the West.

 

All of these books have introduced me to new genres, given me new ideas, or simply made me happy, and for that I'm quite thankful! Please stay tuned for more Top Ten Tuesdays in the future.

 

-Em C.

Top Ten Tuesday: Mainstream Popular Authors that I Still Have Not Read

Written by Grace H.

The Winter Park Library’s Teen Book Guild is excited to join in on the bookish fun of Top Ten Tuesdays! Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday is a widespread trend in which book bloggers create a “Top Ten” list in response to a different topic each week.

This week, and for our first Top Ten Tuesday post, the theme is:

Mainstream Popular Authors that I Still Have Not Read.

There’s practically an infinite number of books in the world, and a practically infinite number of authors. But there’s never enough time to read them all. What well-known authors have you not gotten around to reading yet? For me, many of these names will be instantly recognizable as forerunners in the YA genre.

1. Marissa Meyer
2. Rainbow Rowell
3. Leigh Bardugo
4. Neal Schusterman
5. Renée Ahdieh

6. Maureen Johnson

7. Becky Albertalli

8. Stephanie Meyer
9. Jerry Spinelli
10. Jennifer Armentrout

I’m very excited to eventually get around to reading these popular authors’ works, but for now, they remain on my TBR. Look out for more Top Ten Tuesdays in the coming weeks!

-Grace H.

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest

Reviewed by Grace H.
Grade 11

Do you know exactly where you'll be in a few years? 

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest, is a heartwarming coming-of-age novel that follows a high school senior on the brink of adulthood. This new young adult novel provides disability representation through its smart and hardworking protagonist.

Euphemia (Effie) Galanos has been researching colleges with her mom since the beginning of high school, but as a senior, Effie is starting to think that the perfect college for her isn't on her mom's master spreadsheet. She has secretly researched the perfect match for her: Prospect University in the heart of New York City. However, when Effie visits the campus with her parents, she realizes that the school might not be the best fit after all.

The campus is not very wheelchair accessible, and neither is the city. How can Effie prove to her parents that she can live on her own when she can't even board the subway herself? Throughout her senior year, Effie experiences the traditions of senior year with her best friends and her classmate Wilder, who might even be more than a friend. Effie will face tough decisions at the end of her senior year, with many opportunities to choose from.

Effie is a strong and determined main character. She is smart, kind, and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. It was eye-opening to learn more about the struggles of people with disabilities, and it made me realize how much of the world is not accommodating to wheelchair users. I enjoyed following Effie on her journey throughout her senior year. The story tells of highs and lows, and Effie perseveres through it all. Effie showed growth throughout the story as she became more willing to stand up for herself and the equal opportunities that she deserved. I thought that her character was written very well, as was the romance subplot. Wilder was a well-written love interest for Effie, and I thought their interactions felt genuine. I did find the plot line to be predictable, but that is common with coming-of-age stories. I also felt that there were some strange jumps in the timeline, where a chapter would end abruptly and pick up in a different part of the year without much transition.

Overall, however, the strong female lead and uplifting story made this an enjoyable read. It was also educational, and I learned many new things about disabilities. I recommend this book, especially to high schoolers looking towards the future. It teaches lessons of dedication and confidence, and I (as a junior in high school) enjoyed the morals taught about college admissions. There won't be a perfect school, but the best choice is one where you can see yourself thriving.

Someone Is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong

Reviewed by Phoebe N.
Grade 11

In Someone is Always Watching, by Kelley Armstrong; Blythe, Gabrielle, Tanya and Tucker have always been in a tight-knitted friend group, living an ordinary life. Things started getting disturbing and unpleasant when flashbacks and nightmares started to appear more frequently. It escalated rapidly when Gabrielle was found covered in blood next to their dead principal, unable to recall what happened. Crevices full of secrets and memories unravel between their friendships that eventually threatens their trust, relationship, and lives. “How can Blythe and her friends trust each other when they can’t even trust their own memories?”

The plot and storyline of this book are quite intriguing although in some scenes, it does get tacky and a bit corny, especially the characters’ thoughts. The prologue starts off with a memory of the first time Blythe met Tucker, introducing the good girl and bad guy trope and highlighting a sense of temptation even within those who are exceptionally fastidious and always abide by rules.

Chapter one begins with Blythe noticing something was off with Gabrielle; it wasn't until her big breakdowns around security cameras that eventually became alarming to everyone else. Repeatedly, Gabrielle would yell and scream at the school's security cameras while trying to dismantle them with inevitable aggression. “They’re always watching,” she would choke out. All the while, Blythe was receiving emails outside of the school’s server under the alias Veritas, Latin for truth, detailing a case linked to an eight-year-old boy committing a murder on his little sister’s tutor.

Slowly over the course of this book, many other characters within the friend group start reliving their memories and discovering the real truth about their school, and even themselves. Old and new relationships are formed, filled with action and romance.

The book includes perspectives from different characters involved, but mostly from Blythe’s point of view. From my experience, Blythe’s chapters and POVs were much more enjoyable compared to others because they seemed more rushed, whereas Blythe’s perspectives were more in depth.

TRIGGER WARNING: There are mentions of childhood traumas, child neglect, abuse, sexual harassment, murder and suicide. Please be aware if those topics trigger sensitivity or discomfort.

Some chapters end ominously, which could lead to confusion considering the switch in perspective and having two different events happening at once but at different locations. The pace of this book in the first 150 pages is quite a slow burn but the last 150 pages were eventful and full of surprises, picking up the pace.

Emotionally, this book was very descriptive, emphasizing the importance of friendship which sometimes overpowered family relations. I genuinely enjoyed it as a quick pick-me-up book for the summer. On the contrary, the last few chapters were a bit disappointing because plot twists and surprises were already revealed several chapters back. This leads to repetition of revealed secrets, making it less exciting and more of an annoyance.

Someone is Always Watching is an easy young adult fiction novel, with not much physical violence but more emotional distress. Kelley Armstrong did a good job regarding the prologue and being able to hook the readers but some of the corny and tacky writing could minimize to appeal more to an older audience. However, if you’re into mystery novels that are on the less violent spectrum, this novel may be for you. There is a hint of romance that lingers within most of the book but doesn’t get explored until towards the end. Those who enjoy One of Us Is Lying and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder should give this one a try.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Reviewed by Grace H.

Grade 11

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

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

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

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

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

Reviewed by Grace H.
Grade 11

Six friends, but only five will survive. Five Survive was written by Holly Jackson, the bestselling author of the very popular trilogy, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. If you enjoyed that series, you will certainly enjoy this fast-paced, action-packed mystery.

This thrilling story follows high school senior Red Kenny, who is travelling in a borrowed RV to a notorious party town in New Orleans for spring break with five of her friends. The only problem is, Red and her friends never make it to New Orleans. Somewhere along the road, the RV is caught in an ambush, with all four tires shot out. The six teenagers are trapped in the confined space of the RV with a sniper outside. The sniper reveals through a planted walkie-talkie that he is after one thing and one thing only: a secret. Someone in the RV has a secret worth the highest price imaginable: a life. 

Red and her friends must discover which of them holds the secret that the sniper is after. Many escape plans are foiled as the characters realize that the sniper is more prepared than they originally believed. They start to question if there is a mole in their midst, someone who is secretly working with the sniper. Emotions run high in the tight setting of the RV, and the trapped victims become increasingly frantic as dawn approaches. After all, only five will survive until morning.

This novel was extremely fast-paced and easy to read. I tore through it in one sitting; the quick storyline kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was dying to know what happened next. The story is written in third person, but follows Red, and it took a few chapters to get used to the way that she narrates, as she is a forgetful and easily-distracted narrator. 

The characters were written well, especially Red and Oliver (the oldest and self-appointed leader of the friend group). The juxtaposition of the two of them was fascinating, with Oliver's over-confidence seeming very amplified in contrast with Red's timid and nonconfrontational manner. The author uses a lot of dialogue in the book, and this contributed to the fast-paced feel of the story, as well as making the reader feel connected to the characters and what they were thinking. The fear that all six of them felt was palpable, and was transferred to the reader, making the story truly riveting. The last few chapters of the book are action-packed but wrap up nicely in the end, with just enough mystery to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries and thrillers. The plot twists and intriguing dialogue will keep you on your toes throughout the story, and the ending will leave you reeling. The fast-paced writing style is also perfect for anyone who loves a quick read; you'll be tempted to finish it in one sitting! 

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed

Reviewed by Nané K.
Grade 10

One day, an English teacher’s Islamophobic judgment sparks a fire that sends 14-year-old Jawad Ali down a road which ends in his kidnapping and murder. At the same time, high schooler Safiya Mirza, who is an aspiring journalist, faces racist and Islamophobic attacks that threaten the school newspaper she works on. 

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed is based on the true story of Bobby Franks’ murder in the 1920s. It takes a look into the horrific inner workings of racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia, using one liners about what is truth and what is fact to set the tone for a chilling page turner. Certain aspects of the true story Hollow Fires is based on are very similar to what happens in the book, but the events have been modernized and changed, adding a new level of insidiousness to a tough story. 

Hollow Fires is non-linear and told in a split perspective between Jawad (as a ghost) and Safiya. It jumps back and forth between Jawad’s reflections after his death, and Safiya investigating his murder. In the beginning, Safiya finds that her school newspaper column was hacked and replaced by alt-right sentiments, which puts the newspaper in jeopardy. As she deals with more discrimination at school, such as anonymous texts and threatening posters put around the school, an Amber Alert about Jawad’s disappearance goes out. As the story progresses, Safiya navigates the increasing threats against her, a budding romance with jock Richard, and uncovering the mystery behind Jawad’s kidnapping, and eventual murder.

The author’s writing is generally solid, with a strong character voice for main character Safiya. However, my immersion was constantly broken by the unrealistic dialogue and interaction between characters, which to me was a big contrast with the dark themes throughout the story. Additionally, I felt that the romance subplot was out of place for most of the book. When it was first introduced, it was a harsh difference from the previous chapters, which had been dark and depressing. It did end up being plot important in a shocking twist--which brings me to my next point. There is a big reveal of the murderer’s identity in the climax. However, by the time the twist comes around, I had already predicted who it would have been a hundred pages ago. It was not a surprising twist, but it was emotionally intense.

One thing this book does well, and what makes it such an engaging read, is the inclusion of different forms of media, from court reports, podcast transcripts, and interviews, to news articles. The journalism theme matched well with the “Fact/Truth/Lie“ one liner at the start of each chapter. The culture of the main character, being an Indian Muslim, made it interesting as well as educational for me, because I had not read a book with a Muslim main character before.

Overall, Hollow Fires is a gripping and compelling story, one in which I was so engrossed that I finished it in a single sitting. I got emotionally invested in the story, and felt sympathetic for Jawad’s unjust fate. I would recommend this book to readers because of its well done story, and to raise awareness about Islamophobia. 

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo

Reviewed by Yusmibel L.
Grade 11

When a scandalous photo causes Aria’s life to explode she’s exiled to her grandmother’s home in the Bay Area. Fresh out of her senior year and miles away from anyone who knows her,  Aria buckles down for a boring summer. However, when she meets her grandmother’s new gardener, her expectations quickly change. Old memories resurface and the lives of her friends begin to entangle in hers, causing her to question herself and her life’s perspective on art, sexuality, and family.

One of the best parts of this book is the introspection provided through the formatting of the chapters. In several instances there will be a moment the flow of the story is broken up for a flashback. For instance, when Aria’s life hits a major turning point, the blur of days is reflected through short one page chapters. The way the story is written is logical--everything feels like it builds up to the epilogue. 

It isn’t a particularly surprising book. There weren't any major plot twists or turns that you couldn’t predict, but it still progressed so nicely that it was just as worth it to enjoy the journey.

I recommend this book, it was comforting but not without conflict. It grew on me as I read and I hold a lot of fondness for the feelings expressed. Not a single character could even begin to reach perfect but instead were written to be complicated and genuinely human. I hold great fondness for Malinda Lo’s past work, and A Scatter of Light made me a fan.

Thieves by Lucie Byron

Reviewed by Yusmibel L.
Grade 11

Thieves by Lucie Bryon is a cute and captivating queer graphic novel. The book is split into two parts and follows a pair of high schoolers in France as they navigate the social messes of their senior year. Adventurous and bold, it’s a light-hearted read chock full of capers and charm.

The story follows the amiable and “cool” Ella, who’s biggest worry her senior year is talking to her sweet but reserved crush Madeline. So when she encounters Madeline while crashing a house party she’s more than thrilled to have a chance to talk to her. However, when a night of fun mixes with too many drinks, things quickly get out of hand, and she wakes up at home the next morning--hungover--in a pile of stuff she can’t remember stealing.

Even worse, the party she crashes turn’s out to be Madeline’s. So when Madeline rings on Ella’s door to check on her and tell her she’s been robbed, Ella panics and feigns ignorance. Desperate to set things right, Ella quickly comes up with the perfect plan--to secretly return the stolen items by crashing parties. She recruits Madeline to aid her and all seems well until secrets and feelings start bubbling up and threaten their escapades.

One of the best features of this book is the art style. Every character is unique and beautifully illustrated. A recurring motif in the book is Ella experiencing the sensation of “drowning” whenever she gets overwhelmed. Bryon, the creator, translates this feeling to the reader by drawing waves or “flooding” some of the panels. This is one of the many instances where a feeling or experience is conveyed by stretching the reality of the characters. It’s something that keeps an otherwise consistent setting dynamic and pleasing to the eye. 

Perhaps, just as charming as the art is the characters. The book mostly follows Ella’s point-of-view with a brief switch to Madeline’s midway through. Although there are some holes and parts of the story that aren’t fully fleshed, like some later introduced characters and sections of backstory it doesn’t take away from the story.

I highly recommend this book. Thieves was a delightfully fun read; I couldn’t put it down the second I opened the first page. The main characters throughout are complex and charming and the plot is straightforward but exciting. It’s an absolutely adorable and easy read that may just steal your heart.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Reviewed by Nané K.
Grade 10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

Reviewed by Yusmibel L.
Grade 10

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

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

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

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