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Book Reviews by Teens, for Teens! |
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Scythe
by Neal Shusterman
Book Reviewed by Steuart
"Scythe takes place in a world where death has been cured. Society is ruled by a benevolent AI, called the Thunderhead. To prevent overpopulation, 'Scythes' are given the power to choose who dies by legally executing them. In this world, two reluctant teens are forced to compete to become new Scythes, and discover the underlying rot in this seeming utopia. The book is both exciting and thought provoking, all while expertly balancing existential dread and conspiracy action. This is a super good book. If you are even slightly interested, it is a top tier book."
What does this book remind you of? "Dystopian YA books (except this one is good), Blade Runner, Star Wars, and many others"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Almost anyone who has enjoyed something like The Hunger Games, sci-fi, stories set in the future, or anything similar."
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Artemis Fowl
by Eoin Colfer
Book Reviewed by Steuart
"Artemis Fowl's dad is a billionaire supervillain, and Artemis wants to be just like him. He discovers that fairies are real and live underground, and decides to hold one hostage. Artemis Fowl is one of many series that seems to me like Harry Potter, but what if it was edgy and cool. The stories lack all of the charm and worldbuilding of that series and replace it with a universe that feels like a theme park ride, where things are just stated to be true and you are supposed to accept it and just enjoy the ride. When combined with the trope of a character who is so smart that everything is "all part of the plan," a trope which I despise, this is a really annoying book. I did read the next 6 or 7 books, and they did get better, but ultimately I think there are better books in similar lanes that would be more worth the time."
What does this book remind you of? "Harry Potter but edgy."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "If you read my review and took away from it that this book might be worth a read, than you are going to like it. Go for it. To everyone else, try the Scythe or the Expanse series' for something similar, but better."
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Gregor the Overlander
by Suzanne Collins
Book Reviewed by Makenna
"Gregor the Overlander, book one of the Underland Chronicles, is about your average teen boy Gregor, who lives in an apartment in New York City with his mom, two younger sisters, and grandmother. Years ago, his father mysteriously disappeared one night, never to return. Then one day Gregor’s toddler sister, Boots, accidentally falls into a grate in the laundry room. In distress, Gregor jumps through the grate and finds himself in a mysterious underground world called the Underland. The dark land is inhabited by pale humans along with six foot cockroaches and bats. Unfortunately, to accompany these newfound abnormals, giant, evil rats dwelled, scorching the land with treachery. Gregor soon finds out that he has a large role to play in this big world and is destined to battle the rats. With help from his friends, he embarks on a dangerous mission to save the Underland. But along with these adventures come deadly questions that force him to make unspeakable decisions. This book (series) is about friendship, and overcoming internal darknesses. The amount of sorrow in Suzan’s writing has left painful scars in my soul, but I will never forget all the wonderful moments that occurred in this brilliant story. (Make sure to read the whole series though, you won’t regret it!)"
What does this book remind you of? "The Hunger Games, The Unwanteds, The Unwanteds Quests, and Inkheart all share a dark magical vibe with this story."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who likes fantasy tales with a little bit of violence and a good bit of romance and despair."
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The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
Book Reviewed by Makenna
"This book was a very heartwarming, coming of age mystery about a boy named Bod (Nobody) who lives in a graveyard. The setting is described in great detail with many scenes and areas you become quite familiar with. The characters are all strange and beautifully created from the most creative part of Neil’s mind. With mild action, deep mystery, and a gripping plot, The Graveyard Book is definitely a great read you won’t be able to put down. Even though it’s somewhat thick, it’s not hard to get into and through thanks to the writing, which is exquisitely beautiful. You will not regret reading!!!"
What does this book remind you of? "Nothing that I have read or watched really reminds me of this book. It is unique and has its entirely own feel to the words, characters, and plot. The closest stories to this book would be any other book by Neil Gaiman."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "A reader who likes mysterious characters and settings and books with unbelievable endings. For mild horror readers and mystery lovers and fans of Coraline and Fortunately the Milk."
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J. K. Rowling
Book Reviewed by Eva
"Harry Potter is in his third year of Hogwarts, the magical school for witches and wizards. After he gets kicked out of the Dursleys, Harry’s awful aunt, uncle and cousin, he wanders the streets and gets picked up by a bus finding his way to the wizarding world once again. Sirius Black is on the loose and rumor has it, is after Harry! Trouble and dementors enter Hogwarts as Harry and his friends have their third adventure. The book was pretty long but I read it in no time I just couldn’t put it down! The characters really have a way of connecting with you like they’ve been brought to life by the author. In my opinion it’s one of the best Harry Potter books out there! I really want to try butterbeer."
What does this book remind you of? "There’s lots of magic in media and shows so there’s lots to connect it with other than the Harry Potter movies."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Lovers of magic and fantasy elements."
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Serpent & Dove
by Shelby Mahurin
Book Reviewed by Junho
"The main characters in the book are Lou and Coco, witches that have to steal to survive, and Reid, a chasseur (or witch hunter). After certain events occur, Reid is forced to marry Lou, and Lou has to do everything in her power to make sure that Reid does not figure out her true identity. At first, the two are at odds with each other, but they gradually fall in love and it becomes harder and harder for Lou to conceal her identity. There are many other plotlines in the story, but it would be hard to describe them without giving away spoilers. The book was overall a good read, but the worldbuilding and character development could have been better. The world was not described in too great of detail, and only things necessary to the story were uncovered. Because of this, it never really felt like I got immersed into the world. The book was also difficult to follow at the beginning, as the author does not give much backstory but rather throws the reader headfirst into the story, and the reader has to scramble to remember all of the characters' names. However, the book was overall enjoyable and had an interesting plot full of twists and turns."
What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of a different book called Three Dark Crowns, as both are epic fantasies with romance being a large part of the plot."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who enjoy epic fantasies or simply want a fun read would like this book."
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The Drowned Woods
by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Book Reviewed by Junho
"The book kicks off with a backstory of the main character, Mer, that describes her childhood. After this brief introduction, we fast-forward to when Mer meets her old mentor, Renfrew, while she is working at a tavern. During this interaction, we learn about her past, when she was manipulated by a prince to help commit atrocities that, at the time, she had no idea she was doing . Renfrew offers her a job where they would attempt a heist against the prince in order to buy themselves to freedom. After careful consideration, Mer accepts this offer and goes with Renfrew on his journey. Throughout this journey, we meet several new characters, such as Fane, a troubled fighter; Ifanna, a thief; and Emerick, a scholar. The journey has many twists and turns, with a massive twist happening near the end of the novel. Overall, the characters feel alive, with each one getting attention and development throughout the story. The plot itself was captivating and always keeps the reader on their toes, while also being just long enough to develop the story but not make it drag on. In conclusion, the book was extremely enjoyable and is one of the best young adult fantasy novels that I have read. "
What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, as it has a similarly dark fantasy feeling as this one. Both books also involve a seemingly impossible heist and a similar set of main characters."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Those that enjoy a more gritty fantasy full of twists and turns would enjoy this book."
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Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
Book Reviewed by Bella
"In Erilea, a land without magic, the king rules with an iron fist. Celaena Sardothien is an assassin locked within the salt mines of Enovier. One day, the crown prince of the realm comes to her with a proposal. She is given the chance to earn her freedom and serve as the king’s hand, if she can defeat 23 of the realms greatest killers, thieves, and warriors. Celaena faces many deadly challenges and struggles along the way. Something evil dwells within the castle, something that seems keen on stopping Celaena. Mysteriously, her opponents begin dying in odd ways, and Celaena’s competition is no longer about her freedom, but about her survival. This series is one of the greatest I’ve ever read - I will never be over it."
What does this book remind you of? "This book kind of reminds me of The Cruel Prince especially the FMC in a few ways, both Celaena and Jude are incredibly smart and powerful!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Fans of fantasy and incredible FMCs!"
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A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas
Book Reviewed by Bella
"In this book a seventeen year old girl, Feyre, is a human in Prynthian, a land of both humans and fae who are separated by a wall in order to keep the humans safe from the fae. Feyre spends most of her days hunting for food in the forests surrounding her village so that her family can survive. Her family used to be rich but after her mom died they just aren’t anymore, and now her sisters are kinda bratty because of that and basically refuse to help Feyre with literally anything. One day when Feyre is out hunting, she kills a wolf, and while she normally only catches deer and rabbits, she isn’t complaining because the wolf's pelt can sell for a few coins and the meat will keep them fed for a while. But of course, the wolf is actually not a wolf, but a Fae shifter from the glorious spring court within the Fae ream. After killing the wolf, Feyre is at home trying her best to relax when all of a sudden a wolf comes busting through the door yelling about revenge and a price to pay for the wolf’s death. The new wolf is actually Tamlin, the high lord of the Spring Court, who demands that the price to pay for the other Fae’s death is that Feyre has to come live with him in the Spring Court! So Feyre is whisked away to the Fae realm, she’s totally scared and worried about never being able to see her family again, but after being there for only a few days she realizes living in the spring court isn’t that bad and that the high lord is kind of attractive?!? So anyway, turns out the Spring court is cursed and she apparently has to save everyone even though she’s human and she has to do all these trials and yadda yadda, blah blah blah. Overall the book was pretty ok for me, the romance isn’t the greatest and it’s kind of just a bland book, it never gets much better with the rest of the series tbh, so read at your own risk. Feyre also likes to paint, which is like her quirky little trait SJM gave her, and while mentioned a few times in the book it’s just kind of one of the really random plot points that make the main character seem ‘different’ in some way that SJM gives literally all her FMC’s like with Aelin and her love of books in ToG or Bryce’s love of dancing even though she’d never danced on stage because apparently she had the ‘wrong body’ for dancing or something like that…it’s just one of those things that makes me question SJM and her writing tbh."
What does this book remind you of? "This book kind of reminds me of A Kingdom of Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout, which has a very similar vibe overall and an mmc who is quite similar to a certain fae male from ACOTAR."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "A great book for people who love romance tied with action!"
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Circe
by Madeline Miller
Book Reviewed by Bella
"Circe is the daughter of Helios, god of the Sun and mightiest of the Titans. But Circe is an odd child, she is not powerful like her father or viciously beautiful like her mother. Circe turns to the mortal world for comfort and soon realizes she does have power. Zeus, threatened by Circe’s power banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her craft and encounters many famous mythological figures. But soon danger nears, and active must choose, whether she belongs with the or with the mortals she has come to love."
What does this book remind you of? "Ariadne by Jennifer Saint!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "A great read for fans of Percy Jackson!"
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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Reviewed by Bella
"Magazine reporter Monique Grant isn’t at the greatest point in her life; her husband left her and her professional life is almost nonexistent. Evelyn Hugo, aging and reclusive Hollywood movie star, is ready to tell her story - but why would she tell it to Monique of all people? Regardless of whatever reasons Evelyn chose her, Monique refuses to miss this opportunity. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxury apartment, Monique begins listening to her story, from her start in Los Angeles during the 50’s to her retirement in the 80’s, and of course the seven husbands she has along the way. Monique begins to feel a real connection to Evelyn’s story, but as it nears its conclusion it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s in tragic and irreversible ways."
What does this book remind you of? "Another book with a similar vibe is City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Fans of the 1950’s Hollywood aesthetic, romance fans, and anyone who just needs a good read!"
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John Dies at the End
by David Wong
Book Reviewed by Junho
"The book starts by throwing the reader straight into the action, as the main character, David Wong (which is a fake alias), and his friend John are called upon to help a girl that had been being abused by her boyfriend. The only twist is that her boyfriend had died weeks ago. It is soon revealed that the girl had not been real, but had instead been an illusion created by the monsters to lure John and David into a trap that they are forced to escape. Throughout the book, we learn about how these illusive monsters that are able to tamper with minds have infiltrated the small town that John and David live in. The book as a whole seems surreal, and the reader is constantly guessing what is real and what is illusion. The author is also able to describe gory scenes in a way that is not only scary but also eerie and foreboding, setting a unique tone and mood throughout the entire book. Overall, I enjoyed this book for its unique storytelling, strange humor, and detailed imagery."
What does this book remind you of? "This book doesn't really remind me of any other piece of media that I have seen, as the eerie tone of the book is unlike anything that I have seen before. I also haven't read many horror books or seen any horror movies before."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers that enjoy surreal humor and eerie horror will enjoy this book."
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The Bridge Home
by Padma Venkatraman
Book Reviewed by Makenna
"This heart-wrenching story revolves around four pre-teen children trying to survive the harsh atmosphere in the dusty city of Chennai, India. This story is primarily about a girl named Viji and her frail sister, Rukku, whose disability causes her to be overly trusting. Upon meeting two street kids, Mithu and Arul, they discover ways to make money and thrive in the desolate city. Through many harsh trials and deep lessons, Viji and her newfound family form strong, unbreakable bonds. But when their lives are threatened, Viji must make impossible choices to keep her sister alive and safe. This book is beautifully written and will break your heart. Even after you finish the book, the story will stay with you long after reading it. I would defiantly recommend!"
What does this book remind you of? "Born Behind Bars, another beautiful book by Padma."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who likes books that could be true stories and picture the treacherous events that are happening in slum cities all around the world. If you like heart-wrenching stories, this book is definitely for you!"
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The Martian
by Andy Weir
Book Reviewed by Steuart
"This book's about an astronaut, Mark Watney, on a one-month-long mission on the surface of Mars who gets left behind when his crew is forced to abort the mission and thinks he is killed in the evacuation. However, he wasn't killed and is now forced to survive while stranded and alone on the surface of Mars while the whole world believes he's already dead. He has to use real science and the resources he has at his disposal to attempt to survive and possibly return home."
What does this book remind you of? "It reminds me of many survival stories set on Earth, but on Mars with realistic science and a plausible story. It is also very similar to the movie that was made about it with the same name."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Anyone who is interested in space, survival, or realistic science being used practically."
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Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir
Book Reviewed by Steuart
"The sun is dying, and it is up to a science teacher to save the world. In a sentence, that is the plot of Project Hail Mary. An unprepared science enthusiast launches into the ether on a last ditch mission to save his planet. Along the way he sees things no humans have ever seen, things go wrong, and a classic space adventure ensues. This book is really fun. If you like semi-realistic sci-fi, creative concepts, and the feeling of not knowing what will happen next, read this."
What does this book remind you of? "The Martian, as it's written by the same author, as well as 2001 and Solo a little bit because of its isolation and also a very big spoiler."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Sci-fi fans."
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Ms. Marvel: No Normal
by G. Willow Wilson
Comic Reviewed by Steuart
"This run follows Ms. Marvel, or Kamala Khan, a 16 year old Pakistani-American superhero living in New Jersey. This series is amazing. The writing and illustrations are full of comedy and life. Kamala and the supporting cast are incredibly well written, and likeable. The cultural significance of a Muslim Superhero is also worth noting, and the ways in which Kamala's culture influence her heroism is super creative. Ms. Marvel's early years have an insane variety in tone, genre, setting, costars, scale, and creativity that make it one of the best comic runs of all time, in my opinion. If you see this, and you like comic books, please give it a shot. Seeing this randomly on a library shelf introduced me to one of my favorite fictional characters."
What does this comic remind you of? "Early Spider-Man comics, both in tone and quality."
Who would enjoy reading this comic? "Anyone who likes superheroes or comics."
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My Hero Academia, Vol. 1
by Khei Horikoshi
Manga Reviewed by Makenna
"A young powerless boy called Deku who admires heroes enrolls in the most famous hero school in Japan: U.A. Upon meeting Japans #1 hero he gains something spectacular that pushes him towards his goal: to become a hero and defeat evil. Throughout the series, Deku and his classmates navigate intense training, challenging exams, and dangerous encounters with villains, all while discovering the true meaning of heroism. The narrative explores themes of courage, friendship, and self-discovery, as characters grapple with their own strengths, weaknesses, and moral dilemmas. Horikoshi's dynamic storytelling, vibrant artwork, and diverse cast of characters have captivated readers worldwide, making 'My Hero Academia' a beloved and influential addition to the shonen manga genre."
What does this manga remind you of? "Demon Slayer and Naruto both share the aspect of intense action and character development throughout the series."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who enjoys die-hard action manga with a mix of good lessons, friendship, emotional impact, epic villains, funny characters, and very little romance."
Any last thoughts you have about this book you'd like to tell other readers? "I would definitely recommend this series because it is the series that got me into manga. Before I read this I had always thought badly of manga but now I have read a majority of manga series because of how well written and gripping this plot is."
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Bomb: the Race to Build - and Steal - the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
by Steve Sheinkin
Graphic Novel Reviewed by Junho
"This book is a nonfiction graphic novel that closely follows the events of the Manhattan project as well as the spies and counter-surveillance methods employed by the United States and the Soviet Union that eventually led to the the arms race during the cold war. The book starts off at the very beginning, when the possibility of fission and a nuclear bomb was first introduced by physicist Niels Bohr. From here, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. appoints physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to lead the Manhattan Project, a project aimed to manufacture the world's first nuclear bomb in order to help in the war efforts. The rest of the book follows the process and issues of creating such a bomb, and also describes other aspects besides the science that went into the eventual bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This includes the Norwegian spy efforts that prevented Germany from beating the United States in the race for nuclear weapons, as well as soviet spies that stole American resources in order to create bombs of their own. The author delivers this story with riveting storytelling accompanied by stylistic yet impactful visuals that overall enhance the reading experience. The book truly put into perspective how massive of an undertaking the Manhattan project was and made me have a newfound respect for the scientists that committed themselves to such a project."
What does this graphic novel remind you of? "This book reminds me of the movie 'Oppenheimer' for obvious reasons. Both closely follow the events of the Manhattan project and describe the scientists' roles, as well as each of the scientists' emotions throughout the project."
Who would enjoy reading this graphic novel? "People who enjoy reading high quality nonfiction graphic novels would enjoy this book."
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World Class
by Jay Sandlin
Book Reviewed by Junho
"Adrian Molina is a Colombian soccer player known as the "Colombian Cannon" who dreams of joining the professional team Nottingham FC. His chance comes when his Colombian team plays an exhibition match against Regents United, one of the top British schools for soccer. In this match, we meet the main antagonist of the book, Titan, who plays both dangerously and unfairly. After this match, Adrian is picked up by a scout and moves to England to play for Regents United, where he will train and play soccer. The rest of the book focuses on his journey through the U19 championship and how he develops as a player. Overall, this book had an extremely average and predictable plot, with no twist or new elements added. The villain of the story was the average run-of-the-mill rich bully, the side characters were given barely any attention, and even the romance subplot did not go anywhere. The book also had problems with pacing, as the reader can't really tell what is going on in a match, as it only shows the flashes before a goal is scored. Because of this pacing, we don't see how Adrian is developing, and it instead seems like he magically got better overnight. In conclusion, this was a painfully average sports graphic novel that isn't really worth rereading, but is good enough to be entertaining the first time around."
What does this graphic novel remind you of? "This book reminds me of the manga Blue Lock, as both are related to soccer and focus on a player trying to become the best in the world."
Who would enjoy reading this graphic novel? "Fans of sports books and media would enjoy reading this book."
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New Hanover County Library
201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
910-798-6301www.nhclibrary.org |
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