A-DO by Jaku Amano

Reviewed by Tessia
Grade 8

A-DO is a great book packed with action, military conspiracies, and two amazing main characters. It’s a dystopian sci-fi series written by Jaku Amano that takes place in a future Japan. Through its unique art style it tells the story of a daring 19-year-old woman named Riko and a quiet young boy named Eito who work together to escape the dangers that follow them.

Riko and Eito meet when Eito is just about to be run over during an anti-immigrant protest, but Riko manages to push him out of the way. As they spend some more time together, they come to understand each other quite well despite Eito's lack of words, but Riko soon finds out that Eito may be even more different then she thought. When Eito gets attacked out of nowhere by a group of people in military looking uniforms with guns, his arms transform into vine-like plants that he uses to protect him and Riko from the bullets. With the enemy hot on their tails and Eito not saying much about who they are, the two of them do their best to stay safe and prevent each other from getting seriously hurt.

This book is one of the more interesting books I’ve read for sure and the characters and story are all unique. As an art lover I also enjoy the way the scenes are put together and how the drawings are done. All of it really helps to convey the story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action or manga books, or anyone who is willing to try something new. After reading this book, I also look forward to seeing more of Jaku Amano’s work.

If you think you might enjoy this book come check it out at the Winter Park Library! 

Page to Post: The Finisher by David Baldacci

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

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

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?

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.

Reviewed by Makenna J.
Grade: 9

All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown is a unique book. Surely a post-apocalyptic book can’t be anything other than death and despair, right? Contrary to what one might think, this book was filled with comedy, a touching romance, and suspense, along with the very real situation that threatened to happen because of COVID-19. Although the book was not meant to be an alternate universe of what might’ve happened with COVID, nor was it the focus as there was just a brief mention of it in the character’s history, it might hit pretty close to home for some readers because of the pandemic, but also other reasons as well.

This book started off with main character Andrew getting injured by a bear trap and seeking shelter at a cabin he found in the woods. To his surprise, the home was inhabited by a boy his age who pointed a gun right at Andrew’s head. The boy, Jamie, eventually let him stay and helped him with his wounds. Together, they left the cabin after a scuffle with another group of people that also survived the bug and made their way north in hopes of Europe coming to save them. Unfortunately, the rumors they heard were lies, and they wouldn’t be saved. Along the way, they meet an old woman whose daughter might be alive in Florida and another group of survivors who might not be what they seem. All the while, the two boys start to develop feelings for each other that leave them both struggling with their emotions during their travel.

I felt that this book was more of a journey than anything. Yes, there was the initial plot, but the end goal changed multiple times throughout the story as they ran into different kinds of trouble. It’s not a bad thing at all, though. I very much enjoyed seeing how the two main characters managed to push through their hardships even though the world ended. They had each other to lean on, which brings me to another point. This book had a great representation of the LGBTQ+ community, which isn’t shown a lot in post-apocalyptic stories. The comedy balanced perfectly with the suspense and the very real-life experiences that some readers could relate to.

I thought this book was very interesting because of the plot and characters, but the main thing that jumped out at me right away was the author’s style. There are two main characters and each chapter switches between their points of view. The story is also written in first-person, which I personally don’t like, as it was a little weird to constantly switch between both characters’ minds. After a few chapters, though, I was able to get used to it and it didn’t bother me as much. Along with the author’s choice of points of view, the way he wrote it felt like I was really in the minds of both characters. Their feelings came alive and I enjoyed seeing their realistic views of their situation.

For people who enjoy comedy and thrilling suspense, I would definitely recommend this book. The first paragraph might scare some people—as it did me—because it’s a little confusing, but I don’t have anything that I really hated about the story. I’m pretty bad at figuring out themes and lessons of stories, but I did like the positive message that even if the world ends, there’s still hope. This was demonstrated very well with the characters who had each other to rely on and their heartwarming relationship.

I personally have not read either of these books, but I’ve seen many people compare All That’s Left in the World to What If It’s Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli and They Both Die at the End also by Adam Silvera. 

A little more about the author’s style because I just find it very fascinating: there weren’t any big words or lengthy detailed sentences, but instead it was a simple but deep, straightforward but complicated, and an overall very intriguing story that leaves the reader with a sense of fulfillment.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 11

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

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

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

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

Two Best of 2020

 Written by Hope M. & Trip G.

While so many great YA novels were released in 2020, we’ve only chosen two as the absolute best. The Teen Book Guild was born just back in September and we examined numerous books; some were wonderful, some disappointing, and others simply left us feeling lukewarm. Our two highest-ranked novels were chosen for this list due to the well-written execution of their plots, and we think they are books that countless people will find enjoyable.

Hope’s favorite: 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Suzanne Collins

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a fantastic addition to the YA collection and was highly anticipated among fans of The Hunger Games series. The author, Suzanne Collins, demonstrated remarkable character development throughout the book and provided a well-written backstory, including suspense, romance, and an important moral lesson. Collins’s spin-off of The Hunger Games plot will keep readers engaged until the very end, making this a definite best of 2020.

Trip’s favorite: 

Starsight – Brandon Sanderson

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Reckoners series, the Mistborn trilogy, and the Stormlight Archive comes the second book in an epic series about a girl with a secret in a dangerous world at war for humanity's future.

Published in very late 2019, Sanderson’s Starsight, the sequel to his Skyward, deserves mention. While I read many, many books, Starsight was by far the best of the YA books read. With reasonable character development that avoided common pitfalls I have often seen in new YA books and happening over a longer period of time without reaching a point where less avid readers would be able to follow the story, it can catch and hold your attention.

We believe you will certainly find at least one of these novels to be entertaining: you should definitely consider putting them on your to-read list!

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.           

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.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 9

When Suzanne Collins announced that she was going to release a prequel to her Hunger Games series, fans went berserk. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a novel revealing Coriolanus Snow’s background, and although anyone who has read or watched The Hunger Games knows how Snow turns out, the story is still a page-turner.

This dystopian tale is set in Panem: what is left of America after a devastating war between the Capitol and the districts. The Capitol has now created the Hunger Games, a monstrous sport where children are selected from the 12 remaining districts to battle each other to the death. At only eighteen years old, Coriolanus Snow is selected to be a mentor for the 10th annual Game. He receives the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, who has an alluring quality about her. Though Coriolanus is attracted to Lucy Gray and wants her to be victor so she will live, he also selfishly recognizes the benefits that will arise for himself if she succeeds. Throughout this story, Coriolanus is constantly torn between what he knows to be right and his greedy thirst for rising above. His family’s motto is “Snow lands on top,” and that concept frequently influences his decisions.

The novel was certainly well-written. Collins uses a similar style of writing as she does in The Hunger Games, so those who enjoyed that series will likely enjoy this book as well. Additionally, the author is extraordinarily strong at demonstrating the character transition that occurs in Coriolanus. The plot is solid and fascinating. Many readers may not find it as interesting as the original series due to the fact that the ending is already obvious; however, the narrative provides insight into the life of Snow and allows the reader to empathize with him. It also keeps the reader wondering, “What will happen next?”

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone. It offers the backstory of President Coriolanus Snow and shows how he develops into the individual he is in The Hunger Games. The moral implications the author wants to portray come across quite clearly; Collins shows how easy it is for selfishness to twist an individual’s moral mindset. Furthermore, the novelist ties in some connections to The Hunger Games, such as Tigris’ identity, Snow’s opinion on the mockingjays, and who wrote “The Hanging Tree.” The novel is also just an enjoyable read and will certainly keep you engaged until the very end.

Ebook also available to check out.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Reviewed by Levon T.
Grade 8

Unwind takes place in a not-so far fetched future, where parents can willingly "unwind" troubled teenagers. Unwinding is the cruel process that salvages all valuable parts of the Unwind’s body, and sells them to other people that are in need. Even though the media makes unwinding sound like a friendly alternative to juvenile detention or worse, teens think otherwise. The story begins through the perspectives of Connor, Risa, and Lev, who are all scheduled to be unwound at about the same time. Even though they were going to meet the same fate, their stories couldn’t be more different.

When Connor saw the unwind form that his mother and father signed, he immediately made his plans for escape. The night before the Juvie police arrived, Connor runs off, taking with him only his bare essentials. When a truck driver offers to let Connor ride with him, Connor doesn’t know that his parents were tracking him. When the truck driver tells Connor that his ride was over, Connor does not expect to be confronted by his parents and several Juvie cops. Risa was a child who had always belonged to a State home. Because of extreme budget cuts in the State homes, and a mediocre recital performance, Risa is sent to her unwinding. Lev is a “tithe”, someone who believes that it is his or her duty to God to be unwound. So at his 13th birthday, Lev is taken away from his parents fully willing, to be unwound.

During the confrontation with the Juvie cops, Connor makes a break for it in the middle of an intersection which causes a major car crash. Risa is on the bus to her own unwinding when her entire bus crashes. She too makes a break for it. Lev was on the way to his unwinding too, when Connor rushes toward his car and drags him out of it. After a few more minutes of running and hiding, Connor, Risa, and Lev soon find themselves fugitives from the law. They have to make difficult choices to escape the law, and to keep Lev from escaping.

I thought the story had a very interesting premise, and I really enjoyed the writing style that the author employed in the book. Each chapter was written from the point of view of a different character, and not just the protagonists. Author, Neal Shusterman made the story very engaging, and it was very hard to put this book down.

I would definitely recommend this book to my friends because of the author’s refreshing writing style, and the interesting and thrilling plot.

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: Illuminae by Amy Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae
Coming August 2015

Synopsis:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.


Spoiler Alert reviewer: Kyra

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 5
How vivid was the setting? 3
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 3
How well did the book hold your interest? 2
How well did the author's language add to the book? 5
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 3

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 2
How readable was this book? 3
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 2

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 4
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 5
How memorable was this book? 5
How did you feel about the ending? 5
How creative was this book? 5

Marketing
Rank the jacket blurb. 4
Rank the title. 5
How well does the title match the story? 4
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Intellectual

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: that it took awhile to get into

Pick 5 words to describe this book: interesting, thought provoking, sad, unique

The Death Cure by James Dashner

Reviewed by Carter F.
Grade 6

Freedom -- that is all Thomas has wanted since the beginning of The Maze Runner series by James Dashner. But when he finally has an opportunity in the third and final novel, The Death Cure, will he take it?

After escaping WICKED headquarters, Thomas and the others flee to the nearby city of Denver. As the group settles in, a suspicious letter arrives inviting the teenagers to join a mysterious group. To everyone's surprise, it is led by someone who was thought to be dead and is planning an uprising against WICKED. The problem is that this government agency is out to capture Thomas, so he must avoid the officials while trying to fight them.

The author did a phenomenal job in creating a dystopian future. His elaborate details make the reader think that such a society could realistically exist. I especially enjoyed Dashner's description of the Bergs, which are the massive airships that are used by the members of WICKED. They sound like futuristic helicopters that could hold a lot more people than our current helicopters.

Like the two previous books in the series, The Death Cure is very suspenseful. Dashner keeps readers turning the pages when he unexpectedly sends Thomas back into the maze. I couldn't believe it! How in the world could this end well?

Followed by prequel The Kill Order

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen
Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood -- those with common, Red blood serve the Silver-blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own. To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard -- a growing Red rebellion -- even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.
Spoiler Alert reviewer: Delaney

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 5
How vivid was the setting? 4
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 5
How well did the book hold your interest? 5
How well did the author's language add to the book? 5
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 4

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 4
How readable was this book? 5
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 4

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 5
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 5
How memorable was this book? 5
How did you feel about the ending? 5
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 5

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released). 4
How well does the cover match the story? 5
Rank the jacket blurb. 3
Rank the title. 3
How well does the title match the story? 4
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Amazing

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: I couldn't find anything I disliked.

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Exciting, intriguing, thrilling, suspenseful, memorable

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Reviewed by Carter F.
Grade 6

You'd think escaping the life-threatening maze in the first book would mean that the danger is over. You'd be wrong. In The Scorch Trials, Thomas wakes on the first day of his freedom to dreadful news--one of his friends, Teresa has gone missing. And, what's even worse, his group of friends, otherwise known as test subjects, are being examined again. Phase Two will take place in the Scorch. This desert-like location has been damaged severely by solar flares. Just like the first time, the companions are on their own. They must trek across the Scorch in order to get to the safe heaven within two weeks. If not, they're goners. To their surprise, Teresa, the only girl from their group, has been assigned to another group of test subjects competing to get to the desired destination. What really matters, though, is whether the teams can make it out alive.

Thomas and Teresa, the main characters, are relatable because they express emotions that anyone in their improbable situation would be feeling. Although they cannot believe they are being forced into another life-threatening challenge, their will to survive overrides their fear. Thomas must rely on other people that he would not trust outside of the Scorch. I think most readers understand the compromises Thomas must make to get out alive.

The Scorch Trials is a book that readers who enjoy science fiction will not want to stop reading until they have finished. If you enjoyed The Maze Runner, you will love The Scorch Trials because it is equally as suspenseful. Author James Dashner keeps readers interested in the story with surprises in the plot and the developing relationship between Thomas and Teresa. Will the pair remain just friends -- or become something more?

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Reviewed by Carter F.
Grade 6

After a while, your imagination plays tricks on you. You think you know which direction is the way out, but do you really? Being stuck in a maze, where everything looks the same for weeks, messes with your mind. This is the predicament in which Thomas finds himself in The Maze Runner.

It begins when Thomas awakens in the lift, and he can only remember his own name. Suddenly, the lift begins to move. When it opens, he is welcomed by a group of boys (Gladers) that aren't too surprised to see him. As the weeks pass and Thomas adjusts to the Glade, he learns that the only way out is through the maze. Everyone is shocked when a girl, the first one ever, arrives in the lift. She delivers a terrifying message that helps one member of the group solve the maze. But the question is whether they can survive the solution.

This book's suspenseful plot, entertaining characters and vivid setting paint an interesting, yet horrifying story in a futuristic world. Imagine being stuck in between walls so high that you know no one can see you or the way out. It's up to you to make the correct choices so you will survive. No pressure, right? There are many twists and turns the reader will not expect. From start to finish, the action never dies down.

I would recommend The Maze Runner to readers who enjoy science fiction books. The author creates a world inside the maze that is entirely believable, even though we know such a place is really just a metaphor for segments of our society who believe they are oppressed. This plot is a familiar one for young readers because it also plays out in The Hunger Games trilogy and the Divergent series. Readers who like those books will like The Maze Runner.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Jake L.
Grade 8

District 13... a place no one even knew existed. Now, Katniss, a few tributes, Gale, and what is left of the people of District 12 all live there, and they all have a mission: to overthrow Panem. But will Katniss get onboard with 13's plan or be the rebel she is known to be? Katniss wants to help the war effort against Panem, but she can't do it alone. She is forced to become the mascot of the war effort but with some stipulations. Meanwhile she is fighting with her heart...Peeta or Gale?

I think this books plot was thrilling. I have never read a book with so many twists and turns. The author also does very well to describe the setting. You will feel like you have been to District 13 by the end of the book.

I would recommend Mockingjay to anyone, but be sure that you have read the first two books in the series before this one. The way Suzanne Collins tells the tale of Katniss Everdeen is absolutely thrilling. But readers beware, it might be a bit of a heartbreaker.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Reviewed by Katie M.
Grade 8

The book Insurgent by Veronica Roth is a romantic and dramatic novel with a very upbeat plot. It certainly lived up to the high standards Roth created in the first book of the trilogy, Divergent. The plot has created a constant feeling of excitement in the reader.

In Insurgent, Tris, the main girl character, and her boyfriend Tobias, the main boy character, have escaped the confines of the factions. They are constantly running from the Erudite faction leader, Jeanine and have joined the factionless to help kill Jeanine and create a new government. Tobias and his mother, Evelyn unite the factionless to create an army and overthrow Jeanine. Tris, however, is convinced that they should not kill Jeanine.

I personally found Insurgent to be an intense, action-packed book with bits of romance weaved through. I found it hard to put the book down and was surprised when I realized I read half the book in the first day I rented it. I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable I found the book. This book created an exciting mode inside the reader. Roth used a lot of sensory language which causes you to feel like you are actually in the book. Roth also used first person point of view so you felt as if you were having a conversation with Tris in real life. It was a fantastic novel and I highly recommend it.

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: Acid by Emma Pass

Acid by Emma Pass (release date April 8, 2014)
Spoiler Alert reviewer: Delaney

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 2
How vivid was the setting? 4
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 2
How well did the book hold your interest? 5
How well did the author's language add to the book? 4
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 3

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 2
How readable was this book? 2
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 3

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 2
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 2
How memorable was this book? 2
How did you feel about the ending? 3
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 1

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released).
How well does the cover match the story? 4
Rank the jacket blurb. 4
Rank the title. 3
How well does the title match the story? 5
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Mediocre

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: Cliched, had potential, plot rushed, characters not developed

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Cliched, dystopian, rushed, unoriginal, meandering