Book Reviews by Teens, for Teens!
December 2024
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Fiction
Classics
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
by William Shakespeare

Book Reviewed by Christina

"Hamlet is a story of a Danish Royal Family after the death of the previous king. Hamlet, the son of the previous king, is on a journey of revenge against his uncle who is the new king of Denmark. This story focuses on complex familial relationships and has themes of action vs inaction. While reading the play/book, I harbored strong feelings towards the main character because of the circumstances he ends up in. I felt as though a lot of the events in the story could've been avoided which is what I think is the point of the story. Either way, the story is very unpredictable in the way the situation unravels and I enjoyed the read."

What does this book remind you of? "
This story reminds me of A Game Of Thrones a little bit, because the familial relationships and the royal setting. I also think that the 1996 version of the movie is very accurate."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Anyone who enjoys stories about Kings and Princes, anyone who enjoys a story with intense relationships, and anyone who enjoys action packed endings."
Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus
by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Book Reviewed by Christina

"This book follows Victor Frankenstein's life as written by another person whom he meets after the events of the story happens. He tells this person of his discoveries and how he created this monster whom of which destroyed everything he loved. This book is not very long - it's the length of your average book. This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and evoked a lot of thought because throughout each part, you learn something new that changes your view on the event prior. Although this book is a classic, it very easy to read and digest. Anything that is specific to the time period or not common knowledge is footnoted."

What does this book remind you of? "This book reminded me of any of the other Frankenstein movies/books because the motifs of the characters are the same; however, the original work is very different from the Frankenstein we all know from the Transylvania movies."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who likes a book with very morally grey characters that makes you question right and wrong."
East of Eden
by Steinbeck, John

Book Reviewed by Giada

"East of Eden, the novel by well-established author John Steinbeck, is a classic generational retelling of the biblical story of Abel and Cain through the lens of the rapidly developing United States at the turn of the 19th century. We follow multiple perspectives throughout the novel, from gullible and honest Adam Trask, to sociopathic Cathy Ames, to loyal and curious Abra Bacon, and to the young and ever-so-different Cal and Aron Trask. The novel chronicles their familial relationships throughout the years and the various betrayals that occur, as well as the characters’ experiences through times of war, peace, hunger, and greed. One of the most enjoyable parts of this book is the characters. Each one, even if their perspective is barely a chapter long, feels so real, so tangible. I love this book because the world and characters are so flawed. It reminds the audience that to err is to be human, that being complex is a gift. Though it is ultimately a drama, the novel feels very “slice of life” at some points. The themes, as conveyed by the discussions and well-rounded arcs of the characters, are reassuring at their core. Being able to root for broken, imperfect characters reminds the audience that we can root for ourselves as well. That being said, this novel is a more challenging read. It is just over 600 pages long with a total of 55 chapters. The conversations are often lengthy, philosophical, and abstract in nature. Paragraphs can last pages, especially in the first half of the book. However, even if you don’t like lengthy classics, it is a rewarding one. The last half of the book feels more quick in its pacing and goes surprisingly fast, leaving you wanting more. This book genuinely changed my entire outlook on the world. It is written with such a hunger for knowledge and a curiosity for the bigger questions. Through this tone, it compels the audience to think deeper, to ponder. One theme that is prevalent throughout the book is the idea that humans are the masters of our own fates; we alone determine the legacy we will leave behind. In this way, the book has served as a comforting reminder that we will never be truly forgotten if we only persevere. If anything, I think you should read this masterful book for the inspiring commentary and writing style."

What does this book remind you of? "This book reminded me of both Avatar (the Last Airbender, not the James Cameron movies) and Macbeth. This is because of the family rivalries and moral conflicts. However, the family feuds in East of Eden are far less deranged than in Macbeth."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Fans of classic novels, fans of mythological and legendary retellings, and fans of messy family drama."
Crime and Punishment
by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Book Reviewed by Abby

"Set in St. Petersburg, Russia, Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment is a novel about Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, who aimlessly wanders the city before killing his pawnbroker and spiraling into insanity. The novel is extremely difficult to understand, but it is unique once you are able to grasp the essence of it because it is told from the murderer's point of view, rather than the bystander. Crime and Punishment overall made me feel like I was the one going through an existential crisis, which was a very interesting experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who has read some form of classic literature before. I thought that the length was a bit questionably long, but I also feel like all 580 pages made sense for the kind of novel it was. I also felt like Dostoevsky's writing style, mainly due to the original language being Russian, is difficult to understand, but by around page 200 you can easily grasp the concepts he was making. Overall, Crime and Punishment was a difficult read, but in the end, it was incredibly rewarding and is a beautiful novel that ties into the complex art of how the mind functions. However, it is important to consider that if Russian is not a language that you are fluent in any way (for reference, I cannot speak/read/write/etc. any Russian at all unfortunately), you need to understand that you will not be able to capture the full understanding and importance of certain phrases because there is zero way they can be translated into another language without losing some of their respective meanings. There are so so many characters (probably around 30+, around 15 being major characters) that all have three different names due to how Russian cultural linguistics work, and a lot of the phrasing and vocabulary (depending on who your copy is translated by, I recommend the translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky) can be very difficult to understand at first."

What made you interested in reading this book? "I had started to read more classic novels, and came across Dostoevsky's most popular book, Crime and Punishment, and thought I would give Russian literature a try."

What does this book remind you of? "This novel reminded me of the show Broadchurch a bit because they are both crime based and have tones of depression and characters fighting for themselves and their own personal morals."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Those who enjoy crime and thrillers, as well as those who enjoy Russian literature and compactly dense books that are filled with lots of characters and internal conflicts."
Fantasy
The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho

Book Reviewed by Olivia

"The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is about Santiago, a shepherd who dreams of finding treasure in Egypt. His travels take him across deserts, where he meets people who teach him about life, destiny, and following his dreams. It’s a simple but powerful story about discovering your purpose. The writing is easy to follow and full of meaningful lessons, though some might find it a bit repetitive. I really like the length of the book because like I mentioned before, I was looking for a book to get me out of a reading slump and this short quick read was the perfect thing. I liked the author’s writing style, but at times it was a little hard to follow because I was searching for a more simple storyline. I really liked this book and the journey it took you on with the main character. I absolutely love the ending of the book and it will really make you think. If you like thoughtful books that make you take a second look on your life definitely pick up The Alchemist. This book definitely makes you think a little deeper than you usually would. I think this is a great quick read for people that want a little bit of a different storyline from the mainstream media."

What made you interested in reading this book? "I was interested in reading this book because I was in kind of a reading slump and I wanted a short quick read that would get me interested in reading again. I came across it because I think it was on sale at one of the major chain bookstores."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "People would enjoy this book who also liked Siddhartha and people who like the books that really make you think about your world view and your perspective on your own life."
She Would Be King
by Wayâetu Moore

Book Reviewed by Matina

"
Gbessa is a young girl shunned by the West African village of Lai because she was born right after an individual was cursed, and the traditional values of her environment force her into unimaginable conditions. However, she possesses an ability shared by no other -- immortality. This allows her to remain alive through the harsh reality that suffocates her. June Dey is born on a plantation in Virginia and has an unusual strength that he hides until a confrontation forces him to flee. Norman Aragon is the son of a slave and a British colonizer who can become invisible, just has his mother did. Circumstances drive together to Monrovia, and they discover the potential of their power. They witness a birth of a nation, but also the immense casualties that follow. The author's style is hyper-verbose and almost lyrical, and the plot never fails to thicken. The stand alone debut that Moore delivers is one that is unforgettable, and leaves the reader with a multitude of lessons to uncover. If you're interested in quite the long read, this is for you. The opinions that people have over the ending are truly nuanced, but that is what makes the narrative even better."

What made you interested in reading this book? "I was always interested in books with fantastical elements, and this book seemed like a twist on the genre. I was intrigued by its unique cast that was described on the back cover."

What does this book remind you of? "It reminds me of a few fantasy books I've read, like Percy Jackson."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Those who love stories with resilient characters that are gifted powers and use them for the better good will adore this book! There are elements of real historical events tied into the struggles these characters face, so it may give insight into the three corners of the Triangular Trade and its people."
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
by Neil Gaiman

Book Reviewed by Abby

"In Neil Gaiman and Sir Terry Pratchett's comedic novel Good Omens, an angel named Aziraphale and a demon named Crowley have taken a liking to living on Earth. Crowley is initially tasked with swapping the newborn son of Satan with another child, but he mistakenly switches the son with the wrong child, causing the duo to lose track of the literal Antichrist. As they frantically try to look for the Antichrist, the end times (aka. Armageddon) are approaching, causing Aziraphale and Crowley to attempt numerous times to sabotage their respective "sides" (Heaven and Hell, that is) from further causing the end of the world. They also accidentally steal a fictional prophetic book, called 'The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter', which causes more panic because it says that the world was going to end "next Saturday, just before dinner." Overall, this is one of my favorite novels because Gaiman and Pratchett have effectively used both intense and violent scenes in a way that is, ironically, comedic. I thought that the length was perfect, not too short, but not too long, and the writing style was incredibly easy to read and understand. Good Omens also is one of the few books I have read that have a strong sense of biblical tones, which was incredibly interesting because you could go through every few pages and spot a reference to either a biblical figure or story! If you read the book, you have to watch the show, it's fantastic."

What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me, obviously, of the show 'Good Omens', but it also reminded me of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Eoin Colfer, and Thomas Tidholm because they are both comedic science fiction novels and have a similar tone and writing style. This book also reminds me of some of Hozier's songs (specifically 'Take Me to Church' and 'From Eden') because they both have biblical tones."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Those who like science fiction, spin-offs about the Bible, and humorous fantasy novels."
Historical Fiction
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Book Reviewed by Christina

"This book follows a women named Evelyn Hugo as she explains to a journalist all about her life in the spotlight. She shares details with the journalist that no one has heard before. She tells the story of her 7 marriages and the events that happened during them. This book touches on the bad side of Hollywood and how it affects people in the spotlight, specifically when those people are LGBTQ+ or POC. The length of the book was average-- not too long, not too short. The writing style is easy to read and comprehend."

What made you interested in reading this book? "I heard about this book on TikTok. I would see people fan-casting actors to play the characters."

What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Anyone who loves a headstrong female lead, anyone who loves Old Hollywood, and anyone who loves analyzing female relationships."
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Ace of Spades
by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Book Reviewed by Christina

"This book follows two black characters, Devon and Chiamaka, as they go to their private school where they are the only people of color. They are targeted by an anonymous person who goes by the alias "Aces" who is determined to ruin their time at the school. Devon and Chiamaka, although on two different sides of the social hierarchy, work together to find out the anonymous sender. This book is full of plot twists and gut-wrenching truths. I loved reading this book because of the heavy topics that it covers. The characters felt real and I felt like I was living through them."

What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of Pretty Little Liars, because of the high school mystery aspect of the book. It also reminds me of The Hate U Give because of the focus on issues involving race."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who love a dramatic ending, Readers who love strong black leads, readers who love stylish characters."
Killer Instinct
by Jennifer Barnes

Book Reviewed by Christina

"This book focuses on Dean Redding, one of the teenagers in the FBI Program. There's a killer running loose who is using the same methods as his father. Cassie, Dean, and the others go on a trip following clues and using their abilities to uncover the killer. This book has a couple plot twists, in typical mystery fashion. The writing style is easier to read but it gets a little repetitive when the author tells us things we already know multiple times."

What made you interested in reading this book? "I finished reading the Naturals, which is the first book of the series, and I loved it. So, I decided to get the next book."

What does this book remind you of? "Any teen detective show."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who love mystery books, and readers who love found family."
Realistic Fiction
The Joy Luck Club
by Tan, Amy

Book Reviewed by Abby

"Written in 1989 by Amy Tan, "The Joy Luck Club" focuses on four Chinese immigrant families that have joined together to preserve Chinese customs through mahjong. There are four different mothers with their four respective daughters, and all eight women have a drastically different life and backstory that is revealed through different perspectives. Tan also organized the book to be a bit like a game of mahjong, having four "parts" that are divided into four "sections," each dedicated to one of the eight women, leading to sixteen total chapters. Overall, the book was a quick, yet enjoyable read because of it's fast-paced drama sequences. I thought that the length of 288 was overall perfect, not too short, but also not too long. My favorite aspect of the book was definitely how Tan utilizes the theme of contrasting between American ideals and Chinese ideals, and she writes in a way that is easy to understand. However, there are some Chinese words that are written in pinyin, the Chinese romanization of its characters, so it may be difficult to those who have no experience in understanding how to pronounce and/or read Chinese tones."

What made you interested in reading this book? "My ethnic background is Chinese, so the majority of my close family have read it, leading me to be interested in seeing what all the rage was about."

What does this book remind you of? "Not really honestly, this novel was very unique!"

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Anyone who is willing to learn about Chinese culture and customs, as well as those who enjoy reading novels that have different perspectives of different characters that have their own respective dramatic issues."
No Longer Human
by Osamu Dazai

Book Reviewed by Abby

""Mine has been a life of much same. I can't even guess myself what it must be to live the life of a human being."

No Longer Human, published in 1948, tells the tale of Oba Yozo's seemingly ordinary life, except Yozo seems to find himself "incapable" of understanding both man and the world he lives in. The novel battles with feelings of alienation, addiction, and human connection in an ironically poetic way. Dazai also uses the ideas of existentialism multiple times throughout the novel, pushing the reader to feel as if they are suffering alongside Yozo. Overall, I felt like the book was a very interesting read, but it has many trigger warnings that should be read before diving into it. I also thought that the length was perfect because if it was longer, it would've dragged out, but since it is less than 200 pages, it forced me to really soak in all of the details that Dazai was trying to convey. The length could also, in my interpretation, be an iconic way of showing how one's life can feel so short mentally but so long physically if you are not in the right mindset. Please read the trigger warnings for this book and do not go into it blind."

What made you interested in reading this book? "I watched (and read the manga) Bungo Stray Dogs, which has all of their characters named after real life authors, so I decided to look up what books the real Dazai had wrote, and this was the most popular. No Longer Human is also the name of Dazai's ability in the anime."

What does this book remind you of? "Again, this reminds me of the anime/manga Bungo Stray Dogs, but I also thought it reminded me of A Personal Matter by Kenzaburo Oe, which tells the story of how a man must come to terms with himself because his newborn son is mentally disabled, because it has the same tones of reflection on life as Dazai's novel."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Anyone who enjoys reading about psychology and the art of how the mind, as well as those who are comfortable with dealing with serious topics (i.e. depression, suicide)."
Science Fiction
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L'Engle

Book Reviewed by Mairead

"Meg Murry is an extremely smart thirteen year old girl who struggles to fit in. After her father disappears, Meg, her equally unique brother Charles, and her new friend Calvin go on a journey through space and time to find him. They are aided by three magical beings- Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, and the group ends up running into a lot more trouble than they signed up for over the course of their journey. A Wrinkle in Time is a book that's so strange, you just have to love it. Ultimately, though, it's a story about good vs evil. Reading this book in middle school inspired me to take risks, to do what's right, and to hold on to the people I love. Although it can be read as a stand-alone book, A Wrinkle in Time is actually part of a five-book series!"

What does this book remind you of? "The style of writing often reminds me of the book The Giver."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who like stories about science and magic working together."
Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir

Book Reviewed by Mairead

"Project Hail Mary opens with Ryland Grace, who wakes up alone on a spacecraft that is far from Earth. He has no memory of who he is, why he's there, or how to get back. The book follows Grace as he struggles to remember his past and make it back to Earth alive. I love Project Hail Mary because of how it balances the scientific aspects with the fictional aspects. I genuinely learned some things about physics and space travel, which I thought was really cool, but there was also just enough suspension of disbelief to allow for a thrilling story! I also thought the author did a great job of slowly revealing more pieces of Ryland's past as the book goes on. He's still learning new things about himself by the end of the book, causing plot twists throughout the entire story. Finally, something I enjoyed (and was not expecting at all) was that this book caused me to think a lot about altruism and sacrifice, and what we ultimately owe each other as humans. It's scheduled to be released as a movie in 2026, starring Ryan Gosling!"

What does this book remind you of? "It reminds me of the book The Martian because they're written by the same author and they're both sci-fi books about somebody stranded in space.

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Fans of The Martian and people who are interested in space travel, astronomy, extraterrestrial life, or anything along those lines."
Nonfiction
In Cold Blood
by Capote, Truman

Book Reviewed by Olivia

"
This book takes place in rural Holcomb, Kansas. The book uses a variety of rhetorical devices to contrast the rule setting with the severity and suddenness of the murders of the Clutter family. The two characters that the book focuses on are very complex, with many ways to interpret their character traits. I really like this book because it allowed me to read a different genre that I’m not used to reading and focus on a non-fiction book at the same time. This book made me feel sympathy for the characters affected by the crimes and made me feel a connection to the complex characters. The length of the book was easily digestible, and the authors writing style was easy to follow. The author used a lot of stylistic choices throughout the book, such as parentheses and dashes to add extra information that the reader would find helpful to the story. This stylistic choice made it easier to follow along with the story. Overall, I think this is a great book if you’re looking to branch out from your typical genre and you don’t read a lot of murder mystery and/or non-fiction. Overall for this book being a assignment for AP Lang and something that I don’t usually read, it kept me interested the whole time and it was very easy to complete the assignment that went along with it on rhetorical devices."

What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of true crime shows or detective shows such as NCIS or Bones. This book follows the typical outline of a murder mystery with the typical murder character, the typical detective character, and witnesses from the town."

Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who likes true crime shows or podcasts would enjoy this book. Fans of crime shows like Criminal Minds, NCIS, and Castle would enjoy this book."
Graphic Novels & Manga
Boxers & Saints
by Gene Luen Yang

Graphic Novel Reviewed by Matina

"Boxers and Saints is a graphic novel detailing the two sides of the Boxer Rebellion. Boxers starts with a young boy, Bao, who just wants to enjoy his traditions without missionaries imposing upon them. The disdain towards these Christian missionaries permeates through his life. With the help of his mentors, Red Lantern Chu and Master Big Belly, he gathers an army that takes it upon themselves to rid their country of "foreign devils". Saints begins with a young girl, Four-Girl, being shunned by her family since their traditional values state that she is closely associated to death. She feels devilish, as she is called that by her grandfather, and strangely enough, a talking racoon. It tells her that to truly be a devil she must show this side of herself to everyone all the time. She contorts her face into a rather disgusting mask of itself, and her family is shocked. After all efforts seem futile, her mother takes her to an acupuncturist, where she sees a crucifix. Boxers is definitely a longer read than Saints, and the books should be read in that order. It's a tale of loss and nationalism that is tied up with amazing art and unforgettable moments. It's a read that I have not forgotten, and a gem in the graphic novel genre."

What made you interested in reading this book? "I had read American Born Chinese and wanted to read more of Yang's work."

What does this graphic novel remind you of? "If you disliked the dramatization of 55 Days In Peking and want a relatively unbiased reading about the Boxer Rebellion, this is where to start."

Who would enjoy reading this graphic novel? "People who are fans of the graphic novel genre will adore this book, as well as those who like twists on historical events."
 
Bungo Stray Dogs
by Kafka Asagiri

Manga Reviewed by Abby

"The plot of BSD is a bit confusing to understand, but the general idea is that there is an orphan named Atsushi who is discovered by a strange bandaged man named Dazai after getting kicked out of his orphanage. Dazai asks if Atsushi would like to join a detective agency, which then leads the two and many other detectives to solve strange crimes and such. However, all of the members in the Armed Detective Agency are "Gifted," meaning that if they say a certain phrase or pull out a certain item, they are granted with their own special ability. The agency then has to constantly fight off a rival agency called the Port Mafia, who like to use their Gifts for evil. Overall, I really enjoyed this manga series, the art is stunning, and the length is surprisingly not as long as one would think, as it is considerably shorter when compared to other manga like One Piece or JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. However, there are 25 actual volumes of story, 10 light novels (only 1-8 have been translated to English, they are basically just a retelling of specific events within the series, some being actual spinoffs and backstories to certain characters), 11 volumes of BSD Wan! (only 1-9 have been translated to English, it's a spinoff that is not plot relevant but is enjoyable to read after you're familiar with the backstories), 4 volumes of BSD Beast (a drawn version of the 8th light novel, the art is phenomenal), and finally, 4 volumes of BSD: Dead Apple (follows a case about the agency trying to solve a "bizarre series of suicides involving an eerie mist"). Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy as new content comes out) this series, as it has a lot of events to dig through and there is overall a good pacing of events! If you collect the manga, beware that there's so many volumes of the actual series and it's spinoffs that I have an entire shelf and half on my bookcase dedicated to it."

What made you interested in reading this manga? "I had seen multiple posts about it on social media during (ex. Instagram and Tiktok mostly), so during the COVID lockdowns I decided to sit down and read it before watching the show."

What does this manga remind you of? "Not exactly what the question is asking, but Bungo Stray Dogs has an anime adaption that is currently up to date with the manga as of 2024. There is also an animated version of BSD Wan!, BSD: Dead Apple, and there is a live-action for BSD Beast. However, there is also a possibility that a movie about Stormbringer (8th volume of the light novels) will be produced in the future. This series also has all of its characters named after real life authors, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Fyodor Dostoevsky, which let me to discover that I prefer reading classics over modern novels."

Who would enjoy reading this manga? "Those who like manga with magic and supernatural elements, conflict between two parties, violence, and references to actual media that exists in our world."
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