Page to Post: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

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: Flame in the Mist
Author: Renée Ahdieh
Chosen by: Anna M.

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish WIshes

 by Grace H.

Welcome back to TBG’s Top Ten Tuesday! Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday encourages book bloggers to create and share a “Top Ten” list in response to a different topic each week.

This week’s theme is…Bookish Wishlist!!

This is a list I have put together of the top ten books that I wish I could add to my ever-growing collection!

1. The Cruel Prince trilogy by Holly Black (this is one of my favorite YA series and I wish I had physical copies so I can read them over and over again!)

null

2. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi (this is another one of my all time favorites!)

null

3. The Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy by Stephanie Garber (a really popular series that I haven’t read yet + the covers are gorgeous!

4. Swarm by Jennifer Lyle (an intriguing sounding YA sci fi)

null

5. Five Survive by Holly Jackson (one of the best YA thrillers I’ve read within the past year!)

null

6. The Temptation of Magic by Megan Scott (newly released supernatural/fantasy novel)

null

7. Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon (I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and this next installment sounds like a good read!)

null

8. Paper Towns by John Green (one of the few John Green books that I have yet to read)

null

9. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh (I’ve had this series on my TBR for a while and I’m very excited to read it)

null

10. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (this one isn’t being published for almost an entire year, but I’m already adding it to my wishlist!)

      

Let us know which books you are eager to add to your collection!

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.

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Reviewed by Gianna M.
Grade 9

The line "In the beginning, there were two suns and two moons" makes the reader want to find out what this means, and what/who the suns and moons are. This opening is effective in catching the reader and making them want to continue reading.

Hattori Mariko is the daughter of a powerful man in ancient Japan. While she is on her way to meet her betrothed, her caravan is attacked and lit on fire. After escaping the assassins, Mariko is kidnapped by the Black Clan, and has to disguise herself as a boy to remain safe. But is everything she knew about her family really the truth?

Flame in the Mist has very interesting and well-rounded characters, such as Hattori Mariko. Mariko is a disgraced member of a powerful Japanese family, and does not give in to anything or anyone. She is characterized as strong-willed and brave when she remains seated inside a blazing carriage to avoid being detected by assassins. After escaping them, she is caught by a dirty man who is attracted to her, and she stabs him in the eye with her hair pin. Hattori Mariko acts with regard for her morals, and values all lives equally.

Flame in the Mist by Reneé Ahdieh is a very entertaining novel with a positive, clear message. This book is a great read for young girls, as it is a story of female empowerment, but can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender. I would give it a four out of five, and I am planning on reading the sequel, Smoke in the Sun. This is also an excellent book to read for anyone interested in Japanese culture, history, and/or folklore. The author's heavy usage of Japanese terms such as 'shinobi no mono' and 'kagemusha' can provide the reader with a better understanding of the Japanese language and terminology.